November 4, 1996
Halton Board of Education
School Trustees
2050 Guelph Line
Burlington, Ontario
L70 3Z2
Attention: School Trustees
Dear Sir/Madam:
In October, I attended a meeting at Blakelock High School on
school closures. Concerned parents expressed their fear that the
Board would close and, ultimately sell, schools in South Oakville.
Woodside Public School is one of these schools.
Like many other parents in the Coronation Park area with young
children, I feel that the Board has ignored the changing demographics
in this area. How can you make the decision to close and sell
a school if you don't have the population statistics upon which
to base your decision? In the 1950's and 60's, Coronation Park
was a new community where young families where raising their children.
These people are now moving out of the neighbourhood and a new
generation of young families are buying their homes. If this area
warranted a new school 37 years ago, how can you say that it won't
be needed again in 5 years time?
Woodside is a fairly modern, structurally-sound facility that
would required a nomimal amount of monies to upgrade (see your
own engineering study). A new public library was built next to
the school last year. The school is located one block from a major
road in Southwest Oakville. A viable daycare is located across
the street from the school. Woodside sounds like a good choice
for my children - I wish I could send them there!
Sincerely,
Heidi Van Willegen