Dear Editor:
In response to Elizabeth James March 14 column Leading Questions Fill Information Vacuums, we are pleased to provide the following answers.
With regard to the "financial status of the school board project on the Lonsdale school site," Ms. James is referring to the Education Services Centre and Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art. On schedule to open in June of this year, the new building will bring together education support services, the renowned Artists for Kids program and Gordon Smith Gallery, conference facilities and rental space for private functions. The project budget of $31 million has been fully funded by the sale of 2.84 acres of the site, with the remainder of the lot retained by the school district. This sale, as well as the sale of the Chesterfield Board office site, has funded the gallery and Education Services Centre, and financed the improvements to Rey Sargeant Park, and the heritage restoration components of both the Ridgeway and Queen Mary elementary rebuilds - all without drawing upon funding from the province.
With regard to Ms. James second question, the new Carson Graham secondary has received provincial funding to support a base capacity of 1,100 students. In addition to this, contingency planning and a flexible design will comfortably accommodate a further 150 students if necessary. For the long-term, the building's design allows for the efficient addition of supplementary space, should it be required.
On the subject of transparency, Ms. James should also know that community consultation on the locating of an educational program or service within an existing school is not required by the School Act, nor by local policy. However, the board provides information, and maintains open channels of communication, to allow all community members a means to express their points of view.
In locating the Community Learning Program at Balmoral in September, public board meetings, meetings with community members and a representative working group are several ways by which the community has been able to share their concerns and play a constructive role in the implementation of the new program.
The board is committed to maintaining and developing opportunities for individuals to become informed and participate in the dialogue with the school district and the community. As new public engagement initiatives are introduced this year, we look forward to welcoming all those concerned with the education and success of students to become involved.
North Vancouver Board of Education Franci Stratton, chairwoman
