Closing Bateman ‘just doesn’t add up’

RE: Councillor defends role in school review (May 9)

Ms. Meed Ward has not set concerns at ease in the community surrounding the potential closing of Bateman High School in East Burlington.

She mentions in her article that she was “selected” by the parent council of Burlington Central High School where her son attends. As a city councillor, clearly this should have been viewed as a conflict of interest and she should have declined the offer/selection. On the topic of Burlington High School closures: The residents of East Burlington who represent Bateman feel strongly that partiality has been the factor, not the facts, in determining which schools should remain open and which should close.

Statistically the number of children living in the area surrounding Bateman High has been increasing at a steady rate (one public feeder school has increased its junior grade numbers comparable to those in the mid 1970s).

Special programs offered to youth and adults cover a much wider area of learning than any other Burlington high school, ranging from the International Baccalaureate program in academics to gardening and landscaping of the property by special needs students,

The school was retrofitted some years ago to accommodate special needs students of every level at a very high dollar cost. Something no other Burlington High School offers. Also, the school is adjoined to Centennial Swimming Pool. It just doesn’t add up!

As an aside, the impact on local restaurants/businesses will be significant. Margaret Mladen, Burlington