Candidates debate merging school boards to save tax dollars

Merging school boards could be a good way to save tax dollars, according to one MPP candidate, however others say it wont save a cent.

The amalgamation is a great idea, Liberal candidate Andrew Olivier said in a debate in the Morning North studio. Its one of those ways to be more efficient and to save those tax dollars and make sure those dollars get to our children.

He later clarified that it was something worth looking at if it was what the people of his riding wanted.

The Green party is the only party to be in favour of merging the English, French, Catholic and Public boards all into one.

Progressive Conservative candidate Paula Peroni, also on the Catholic board of trustees, said she doubts having one larger school system would save any money.

When you amalgamate and make big institutions bigger, youre not saving a dime, Peroni said.

NDP candidate Joe Cimino, also a teacher and a Sudbury city councillor, did not think merging was a good solution either, adding that the city of Greater Sudbury is a good example of how amalgamation doesn't save tax dollars.