'Sore' parents in Sudbury threaten to switch school boards

Morning North9:20Switching school boards to protest school closures

Some parents are threatening to move their kids to the Catholic school system if the Rainbow District Board moves forward with its proposal to close up to 12 schools. Chantelle Gorham spoke to us about why parents are considering this strategy.The possible closure of Larchwood Public School in Dowling has one parent threatening to move her child to another board, and a few others plan to follow suit.

With a board-estimated$12,000 price tagaffixed to each student enrolled in the school,Chantelle Gorham said transferring boards or threatening to transfer may be the only way to ensure parents' voices are heard by administrators in the Rainbow District School Board.

"If we had the majority of our students move to the Catholic board, that then takes funding away from the Rainbow Board," Gorham said, "so, we're unsure of how to fight this, other than financially and I think that's what will get their attention."

Larchwood, along with 11 other schools in the Rainbow District School Board, is being considered for closure or consolidation by theRDSB, as it deals with a budget shortfall.

Gorham said that other parents who lost community schools told her thatonce accommodation reviews are in motion, there is little that can stop schools from being shuttered.

"There's little we can do as a school to get their attention besides transferring that money with us," Gorham said, "This will give usas much of a fighting chance as we've ever had."

Especially upsetting to Gorham was the board's suggestion they come up with alternatives to address the board's shortfall.

"We're sore that we're trying to come up with creative solutions...when there was a $4.4 million surplus last year," Gorham said.

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The board said in a statement that the accommodation review of the schools is in the beginning stages, and public meetings are scheduled to gather feedback on the proposed consolidation plans.

It also stressed that it's inviting parents to work with the board to be part of the solution.

Listen to Chantelle Gorham's story here