Educational Reconstruction Suburban School Vote Buying

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin. #203, 8912-156 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5R 5Z2

March XXIXth, MMX

Hon. David G. Hancock, QC, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Edmonton-Whitemud

Dear David:

It seems II me that if you were to cancel the construction IV now of at least 1/2 the suburban schools and force the parents to send their kids II the inner city schools targeted IV closure, you could save quite a bit of money. Of course if you offer the parents from the suburbs price breaks on say their property taxes as well as free either school bus or Edmonton Transit Student Passes to these students, there would be more cooperation on behalf of the parents.

It makes absolutely no sense David IV the Trustees to cannbalize perfectly good buildings and then build P3 replacement schools in the suburbs. Look, you forced the Trustees to accept a total loss of taxing power, the parents in the suburbs should be "encouraged strongly" that their kids be sent these inner city schools. They can learn about how rich and vibrant these communities once were.

You do this by withdrawing the promised suburban schools and telling the parents that in these times of economic austerity they need to make sacrifices. If their kids must ride for a little extra time on the bus each way, so what. No system is perfect David. Everyone has to sacrifice, the public, the Trustees, the kids, the parents. Equalize the pain David & enforce bussing of the kids inII inner city schools. We can't let these neighbourhoods die.

Regards,

Rory

Source: Edmonton Transit.