A.J. Baker Doors Remain Open

Tuesday, 14 October 2014 at 23:44

A unanimous decision by Thames Valley School Board trustees ended with A.J. Baker Public School remaining open.

OXFORD COUNTY - Thames Valley District School Board trustees recieved a thunderous round of applause following their unainmous decision to keep A.J. Baker Public School in Kintore open.

All thirteen trustees voted in favour of shooting down a recommendation from senior administration to shut the doors of the nearly 50 year old school.

The public gallery at the TVDSB office was filled with save A.J. Baker supporters sporting the school's yellow and blue colours and holding up signs. When the debate finally arrived on the agenda, several trustees went around the horseshoe expressing their support of keeping the school open. The speeches drawing nervous laugher and claps from the A.J. Baker supporters in the audience. When the time finally came for a vote, it was unainmous.

The news brought smiles and relief to a community who has been fighting the closure for nearly three years. Tomorrow A.J. Baker students will return to school free from worry that their school will be closed.

Since recommendations by TVDSB senior administration to close A.J. Baker's doors, the community has banded together to show its support. Parents, students, alumni and community members from the tight knit rural community have been drawn together. Zorra Township Mayor Margaret Lupton says she was thrilled with the outcome.

It was been a long journey for some who began the effort to save the school. Marcus Ryan, a parent and member of the community driven Accomodation Review Committee says the unainmous decision was surprising. He explains what the school means to the community.

Ryan adds that it is rare for the school boards to vote against senior administration recommendations and that this is a unique outcome. Other groups fighting to save their schools such as Lorne Avenue Public School have taken to twitter following the A.J. Baker decision.

Results: Unanimous rejection of senior admin. AJ Baker to remain open! Congratulations to #SaveAJBaker community on great work.
— Save Lorne Ave (@SaveLorneAvePS) October 15, 2014