Advocate backs Burlington school

Voice for children and youth says educational ‘gem’ should be emulated, not shut down

“The gap between what we promise young people with special needs through our school system and what they generally receive is a chasm.”

IRWIN ELMAN ONTARIO’S ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Ontario’s advocate for children and youth has taken the unusual step of speaking up for students at a Burlington high school that may be closed, calling it a shining example of inclusive education that should be emulated rather than shut down.

Robert Bateman High School is “a gem in the province,” Irwin Elman said in an interview.

“It concerns me that we might lose it rather than build upon it, think about how to replicate it and learn from it.”

The school, which has the highest population of special needs and medically fragile students in the region, was recommended for closure in 2019 in an April report from the Halton District School Board.

The move was part of an area review aimed at consolidating seven high schools as a result of declining enrolment, a phenomenon taking place across Ontario. Bateman was one of two recommended for closure because it is currently about 60 per cent full, with 800 students.

Trustees are scheduled to vote on the move this Wednesday.

But Elman, who met with students and parents last week, said he has asked Education Minister Mitzie Hunter and the board to delay the decision until all avenues have been explored that could make it feasible to keep the unique facility open.

“The gap between what we promise young people with special needs through our school system and what they generally receive is a chasm,” Elman said.

“If we have something that so many young people don’t seem to find in this province, we need to find a way of keeping it so we can replicate it.”

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education said decisions on school closures “are the responsibility of locally elected trustees,” and that the ministry doesn’t have the authority to intervene.

But in an email late Friday, Heather Irwin acknowledged Elman’s input and urged trustees to “take this advice into consideration as they weigh the options in front of them.”

Parents and students, who have mounted a campaign of protests and presentations to the Halton board, say they’re heartbroken at the thought of losing the school, which offers an unusual breadth of programming, from skilled trades to an international baccalaureate pro- gram and many supports for students with physical and developmental disabilities.

They have complained that the decision-making process was flawed and that students, families and staff were not consulted or given enough opportunity to participate.

Irwin said if participants believe the process didn’t comply with Ministry of Education policy, they can submit a formal request for an administrative review.

Bateman High School was retrofitted in 2004 to provide vocational programs and make it accessible to all students. It has an accessible swimming pool, elevator, outdoor ramps and slings to lift students who use wheelchairs.

Parents warn that if the plan to close it is approved and students move to two other high schools, those buildings will require millions of dollars in renovations to handle the extra students and accommodate those with special needs.

“My kids love the school,” said Deb Wakem, whose son Joel is in Grade11 at Bateman and daughter Myla is in Grade 9.

“It’s a real life community, with every type of learner. If you have this amazing, unique learning environment, why would you dismantle it, why wouldn’t you build on it?

“Shutting it should be the last choice.” Wakem and her son, who has a medical condition requiring accommodations in school, were among those who met with Elman.

She said parents want a shot at exploring alternatives such as expanding the high school’s catchment area to boost enrolment, partnering with other schools or making it a centre for trades.

If the closure vote proceeds and trustees decide to close down Bateman, the families will continue to “do what we can” to fight the move, she said.

“I don’t think it will be over.”