Mayor of Centre Hastings Tom Deline at Hastings County Council, January 26, 2017 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Hastings County will take the fight against possible rural school closings to the Rural Ontario Municipal Association.
Members of council made it clear Thursday that they need to get “on board” as a county to fight the possible closing of local schools as the school board undertakes a study on the subject.
Mayor of Tweed Jo-Anne Albert says there has to be a “strong stand” to avoid schools in Wallaston Township and Madoc Township closing.
Mayor of Centre Hastings Tom Deline says it would “tear the heart and soul out of the community.”
Reeve of Hastings-Highlands Vivian Bloom says kindergarten students would have to travel more than an hour one way if the school there is closed.
Reeve of Carlow/Mayo Bonnie Adams pointed out “small municipalities have the right to the same education as larger ones.”
Warden Rodney Cooney says he will be meeting with the Education Minister regarding the issue, at the ROMA convention this weekend in Toronto.
