A community group is voicing concern over a potential Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) decision to replace green space at Macphail Memorial Elementary School with portable classrooms.
Carolyn Gott, a representative of the group and concerned parent says they were first informed about the possible move at the Flesherton school on Feb. 28.
She says based on the increasing number of students, the board is looking to bring in more portable classrooms, but would be situated on the current kindergarten outdoor play area.
“That is home to a bunch of trees that were planted in the 90s,” says Gott. “It’s about the trees, but it’s also about the benefits the children receive from this area.”
She says children are allowed to use this green space as an outdoor classroom or for recess.
“A teacher told us that during Covid, they (children) weren’t allowed to interact, like they had to distance from each other, and the only thing they were allowed to hug was the trees,” says Gott.
She adds they plan to attend a board meeting tonight, where Communications Officer Jamie Pettit says in an email, a report on portables is being presented in a Committee of the Whole meeting.
Gott says they will not be giving a delegation on the matter as they missed the deadline to submit, but they have been in contact with their board trustee Janice Kaikkonen.
“She is aware of what our concerns are,” says Gott. “She wasn’t aware that this was happening but has been very helpful and very open.”
She says Kaikkonen has been receiving numerous emails from concerned parents and community members and will be bringing them to the meeting tonight.
Gott adds she has spoken with someone who is involved in advocacy and believes they are not at the stage where they need to hold a protest.
“That would be a last resort I think for us. We are going to go to this meeting more so seeing if the board will listen and work with us instead of trying to go as angry parents because we are not going to be heard if we do that approach,” says Gott.
She says they were informed if the board moves ahead, the portables would be installed this summer.
The board meeting will be held this evening at 5:15 p.m.