The MPP for Mississauga South has waded into the controversy over the secret renaming of Hartsdale Avenue school, saying trustees must listen to public concerns and resolve the issue.

“Families in my community have been raising concerns with me about recent decisions made by the Peel District School Board and its process in reaching those decisions,” Charles Sousa told the Star.

“Specifically, there are questions as to how open and transparent the renaming of schools and recent ARC (school closing) processes have been.
As publicly elected officials, it’s important for trustees and the board to act openly and transparently.”

Hartsdale was renamed after current trustee and longtime chair Janet McDougald in a private vote by trustees in the middle of the school year.
Parents and community members — even the local ratepayers’ association — were upset at the lack of public consultation and the secretive process.

They have started a petition and asked the board to reverse the decision, to no avail.   Even Ontario’s education ministry has said it expects the naming process and vote to be public.

The board has since said it will discuss its policy but would not promise any changes.

Sousa, who represents the area where the school is located, said “while these decisions are the board’s to make, I trust the board will listen to the concerns of families in our community and ensure that these issues are resolved in the best interests of parents and children.”

The Peel board’s naming process stands in stark contrast to others in Greater Toronto.

The Halton District School Board is asking people to comment online, fill out forms left at area schools — even at the local library — for a new school in Burlington.  They’ll also get a chance to speak out at a public meeting before trustees vote in April.

Even if the new school is to be named after a living person — as Peel argued was the reason for its secrecy with the McDougald vote — it still comes under public scrutiny.

The Durham District School Board is also asking the community to help find a name for a school in Ajax.

“The school will not be named after a current employee of the board or member of the board,” it noted in a news release issued Wednesday, which a spokesperson confirmed is a long-standing policy.

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Mississauga News - Feb 09, 2012 - 7:34 AM - By Torstar Network

Trustees must listen, MPP says

The MPP for Mississauga South has waded into the controversy over the secret renaming of Hartsdale Avenue school, saying trustees must listen to public concerns and resolve the issue.

"Families in my community have been raising concerns with me about recent decisions made by the Peel District School Board and its process in reaching those decisions," said Charles Sousa.

"Specifically, there are questions as to how open and transparent the renaming of schools and recent ARC (school closing) processes have been.
As publicly elected officials, it's important for trustees and the board to act openly and transparently."

Hartsdale was renamed after long-time Chair Janet McDougald in a private vote by trustees in the middle of the school year.  McDougald is trustee in the Ward 1-7 wards where the school is located.

Parents and community members — even the local ratepayers' association — were upset at the lack of public consultation and the secretive process.  They have questioned why the school was renamed for McDougald, who is the sitting trustee and who was involved in the review committee that closed three schools in Lakeview.  Those schools are being consolidated in a new school on Hartsdale Ave., located where Lyndwood Public School previously stood.  The new school is scheduled to open next September.

Parents have started a petition and asked the board to reverse the decision, to no avail.

Even Ontario's education ministry has said it expects the naming process and vote to be public.

The board has since said it will discuss its policy but would not promise any changes.

Sousa, who represents the area where the school is located, said "while these decisions are the board's to make, I trust the board will listen to the concerns of families in our community and ensure that these issues are resolved in the best interests of parents and children."

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Comments (from Missing News) by others - 6 - to this web-page at time of posting;

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thebusinessman         Feb 10, 2012 3:43 PM

Speak your mind at

www.facebook.com/JanetMcDougald

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WatcherOIO         Feb 9, 2012 10:22 AM

Formal letter of Complaint - Conflict of Interest & Bias at Peel District School Board

A clear cases of Conflict of Interest & Bias by the Peel District School Board (PDSB) Chair - Janet McDougald & all other members of the PDSB. Details here http://the-democratic-reporter.com/GENERAL_NEWS_D-R/L_Feb_3-12_-_PDSB_Complaint.htm

Agree 4

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Tony Jackson         Feb 9, 2012 10:17 AM

Where's our quick action hero LIZON?

I was waiting for LIZON to dash in and exterminate the practice of renaming schools after your dog. (Sousa's) concern is useless, we want actions in real time, like the action hero Lizon did on the burka issue.

Agree 3

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Stephen Wahl     Feb 9, 2012 9:41 AM

And; don’t forget how Ms. McDougald came to be elected/acclaimed in the last election

Would love to have gotten that on camera; then I could say whatever I want. However; we are not allowed to say or write slanderous remarks in this forum; but if we were, I’d gladly take my chances in Court describing Ms. McDougald and her fellow PDSB members. But; for now, I will just suggest to the voters of Wards 1 & 7; during the next municipal election; please consider your options more carefully.

Agree 4

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Canadians         Feb 9, 2012 9:26 AM

M.I.A. MPP SOUSA

Charles Sousa, along with other elected officials, were notified and encouraged to attend the CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS by the PDSB in their ridings. NOT ONE OF THEM SHOWED UP to my knowledge. M.I.A. Horse. Barndoor. His sudden appearance from left field, might mean another provincial election may be closer than we think. ... And we still don't know how much his last-re-election gas generator fiasco will cost us.

Agree 4

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Fartleberry         Feb 9, 2012 9:03 AM

The whole issue

sure exposed the sort of personalities and ethics we have in our school boards today.

Agree 5

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