The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Flin Flon School Board is facing some tough choices. Early next year, the board plans to put forward a proposal on how to deal with declining school enrollment ? and the lessened government revenue that results. "There are very difficult decisions to be made," said Superintendent of Schools Blaine Veitch. "I think the board has been very open in listening to people. We understand that (the decisions) won't make everyone happy, but we'll make the decisions on the idea that we want to ensure quality education in an economically responsible manner." The board and about 120 citizens reviewed possible scenarios to deal with the situation at a public forum Wednesday evening at McIsaac School Ecole McIsaac. The scenarios, which were borne out of a similar forum held in the spring, ranged from lobbying for more provincial funding to closing one or more schools. There was talk of marketing new courses to boost the student population and of altering the structure of the school year to maximize available funding. A potential amalgamation with a neighbouring school division was discussed, as was the contracting out of certain services. Other ideas included operating Many Faces Education Centre within Hapnot Collegiate, reducing the French Immersion program and increasing partnerships and sharing staff with other organizations. These are just ideas at this point, and the trustees will take into account comments from the public, both positive and negative, as they move forward with their planning. The board hopes to release a finalized plan by the end of February.
