"Fort"ified

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

February XVth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

It seems that school closure issues are happening all over Alberta. In Ft. McMurray, Ft. McMurray Catholic School Division has gone to a IV day week just over a year ago to save on costs. Now you have Ft. McMurray Public School District & its Board Chair, Mr. Jeff Thompson considering the same situation. I don't agree that this is a wise move. It would be like having a Ft. Knox situation in Ft. McMurray wherein the schools are locked up IV an extra day, thus shutting students out from the best education possible when in fact, schools should become more accessible & not less.

Sure you might save on some school bus transport costs, & maybe administratively by eliminating part time staff. In the end however, the school utility's still have to be paid on the extra day the buildings are closed, so why not make maximum use out of them? The standard business week is Monday-Friday for hard working Ft. McMurray family's, particularly in the oil business. What happens to these fine folks & their children when they cannot arrange IV proper child care/student activity's on each & every Friday? Do they have to take time off work themselves & lose wages as a result?

Fort Sumter,

Rory

Source: 630 Ched AM Radio & QR77 770 AM Radio's "Rutherford" With Guest Host Dave Taylor & Fort McMurray Public Schools District.