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MARK-ALAN WHITTLE Mountain News (Hamilton) August 13, 2003 Re: Parents suing supervisor over school closure After reading about the plight of school board supervisor Jim Murray and the Application to Superior Court launched by Cathy Bryden, whose husband is a member of parliament, and Lynden School Council Chairman Robert Tziougras -- in a desperate attempt to keep Lynden school open -- I'm left wondering why these two are so intent on repeatedly shooting the messenger and assessing blame on the supervisor. The Superior Court Application claims Dr. Murray, "arbitrarily and capriciously" overruled a decision by the suspended Trustees -- rings as hollow as a dug out canoe -- when compared to the cold, hard facts. At the January 25, 2001 meeting of the board, suspended Trustee Reg Woodworth introduced a notice of motion to remove Lynden school from the closure list because it is the only HWDSB school in Hamilton's jurisdiction with a catchment area of approximately 38 square miles. At the February 15, 2001 meeting of the board, It was moved by Trustee Woodworth and seconded by Trustee Thompson, "That Lynden elementary school be removed from the closure list at this time." During the ensuing debate, Trustee Wes Hicks opined that he, "believed that the Board had established a policy that was consistent and fair to all schools." And further stated, "he will judge all eight schools equally at the same time." The motion was lost with three Trustees in favor, and seven opposed. Then, on March 5, 2001, the school board held an emergency Business Committee meeting where Trustee Hicks introduced yet another motion to close Lynden School. Even though the motion was never seconded, the question was called by Trustee Johnstone and was defeated with five Trustees in favor, and five opposed. Under Robert's Rules of Order, the chair must cast the deciding vote. According to board records, ward seven trustee Lillian Orban was the Chairwoman of this meeting and should never have cast a vote, since only 10 trustees were in attendance because Dundas Trustee Reg Woodworth failed to attend. Fast forward to the Board meeting on November 12, 2002, where Dr. Murray notes the Board of Trustees identified Lynden school for potential closure in April of 2000, the official record of the Board contains no resolution indicating that Lynden should be approved for closure, that it should be studied further for closure, or that it should be removed from the potential school closure list" He further notes the Executive Council recommended the closure of Lynden and their reasons have been a matter of public record since that time. In addition, Dr. Murray had been advised by a vote of the majority of a quorum of the current Trustees, that they support this action. Dr. Murray and the official records of the Board conclusively prove the suspended Trustees have nobody to blame but themselves for the plight of Lynden school. |