For immediate release
April 10, 2001

Local MPP's meet with Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board

        Today, MPP's Leona Dombrowsky and Ernie Parsons of Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox & Addington, and Hastings-Prince Edward, respectively, met with representatives of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board to find out more about the Board and its students, staff, programs, and services. Dr. Doug Galt, MPP for Northumberland, was invited to take part but was unavailable.
        The visit began at Centennial Secondary School, where Principal Catherine Glover and several students conducted a tour of the school's facilities. As the Regional Centre for the Visual and Performing Arts, Centennial Secondary School has an art gallery and newly renovated theatre arts facilities. The staff, library, and science labs, which also support the school's commitment to be a great place to learn, were also featured on the tour.
        Audrey Carter, Chair of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board presented the Board's "A Great Place to Learn" Strategic Plan.
        The final session, involving MPP's, Trustees, and Senior Administration, with the Chair of the District School Council, and representatives from the Teachers' Federations, CUPE and the Ontario Principals' Council also in attendance, touched on issues of concern for the Board that could hamper the Board from continuing to offer its present level of programs and services. In particular, the Board representatives detailed the impacts that the student based funding model will have on staff allocation, school facilities, transportation, reporting and accountability. The concern is that these issues may adversely affect student learning.
        "It is hoped that our elected representatives, now more fully aware of the Board's concerns,  will continue to support the best possible opportunities for excellence in student learning to the legislature at Queen's Park," said Audrey Carter, Chair of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.
 

For information contact:
Larry Langdon, Director of Education, 966-9491 ext. 2257