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A.J. Baker Decision

Tuesday, 14 October 2014 05:27

The verdict on A.J. Baker public school will come down to a vote Tuesday evening.

LONDON - It will be an emotional decision regardless of what the outcome is for A.J Baker Public School.

For the past two years a committee made up of parents, alumni and residents have been fighting the proposed recommendation from senior administration to shut the doors on A.J Baker. The time has come for a final decision on the school, its fate will be decided this evening at the Thames Valley District School Board office in London.

Member of Accomodation Review Committee and parent Marcus Ryan says they need a majority vote in favour of keeping the school open.  "....out of 13 we would need 7, historically at least in this board...once they vote to start and accomodation review committee to consider closing a school, 90 per cent of the time that school closes."

The odds may not be in ARC's favour, but the group claims that it would be cheaper for the school to remain open as opposed to closing it for an estimated 2.6 million dollars.

The meeting at the school board office will begin at 7 p.m and immediately following it a vote will be held between school trustees. "It will be a recorded vote I expect, so probably all 13 trustees would vote that's assuming that they are all there, they are all allowed to debate and then they would cast a vote."

Ryan adds that despite claims enrollment is decreasing, A.J Baker is operating above capacity. The school currently teaches junior kindergarten through to grade 8. If the decision is to close the school, the senior administration is recommending to split the students between Thamesford P.S and Zorra Highland Park PS in Embro. Ryan adds that many of the students who attend are cousins or family members and would be forced to attend different schools.

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