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Friday, April 26, 2013
Last stand in school district restructure land
Police seek info on Moorfield stalker
School closure options: Trustee says all three proposals still on the table, some flexibility within them, all feedback welcome
Peter W. Rusland
Women followed: No threats or injuries, but man making women uneasy
News Leader Pictorial
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Don Bodger
News Leader Pictorial
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uesday night is the last opportunity in a public setting for valley residents to be heard about the restructuring options being considered by School District 79 that will result in an undetermined number of school closures. Official trustee Mike McKay was involved in meetings Thursday at Koksilah Elementary, one of the 10 schools in the district being considered for closure. He said all perspectives are still being considered. “We’ve met with parents and every school community that is in consideration,’’ he said. “I want to reiterate a point I’ve already made. The consultation goes on until May 7. “A lot of people have done their homework and (are) looking at the options, ‘would you consider this variation.’ There’s been a high degree of engagement and a high degree of respect. People acknowledge the reality of the challenge.’’ McKay stressed there is still room for tweaking within each of the three restructuring options. “What we cannot do is add any schools to the closure list,’’ he said. “There have been no decisions made. We’re looking at all the variables. Each one has its benefits and its costs.’’ The enormity of the job isn’t lost on McKay. “We know there will be impact,’’ he said. “If nothing happened, there would be impact. We wouldn’t have the money to operate programs.’’ The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 606 will make its presence felt before Tuesday’s meeting, gathering around 6 p.m. at the Cowichan Library before marching to Cowichan Secondary. Tara Brooks, general vice-president for the local, stopped short of calling it a protest but more of an awareness campaign for the public. “The models they’ve proposed, there’s CUPE cuts in all of them,’’ Brooks said.
Peter W. Rusland
Cowichan school trustee Mike McKay was at Koksilah Elementary School Thursday as part of his ongoing consultation about Cowichan school reorganization. Depending on the option selected, she estimates the impact on CUPE workers will range from $507,000 to a low of $319,000. About 400 CUPE workers are potentially affected. Despite pending cuts, they are sympathetic about what’s happening in the school system. “We recognize it’s not the district’s fault,” said Brooks. “They’re underfunded like every other district in the province. We’re standing together with teachers and USW (United Steel Workers) members as well. We have to protect our members. “CUPE was hit really hard by the extended spring break,’’ added Brooks of the switch to two weeks made last year. “Most of the savings was on our backs.’’ The hope, Brooks said, is for as many mem-
bers as possible to retain their jobs. Cowichan District Teachers’ Association president Naomi Nilsson couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday. Meanwhile, two former trustees, fired last year for not filing a balanced budget with the provincial government, weighed in with their thoughts, as the date for the school closure announcement draws near. Ryan Bruce said Crofton Elementary being on the list was definitely a shocker for people he’s spoken to about the situation. “People find it hard to believe the newest school in the district would be considered,’’ said Bruce. “But you’ve got to put everything on the table.’’ more on A4
ane was scared when a “creepy” guy began following her, and her two kids, during a walk in their Moorfield Road neighbourhood a month ago. Then Jane (not her real name) recognized the man — who got closer and closer — as someone she’d met socially years before. She can even name him and know where he lives. And she knows other women who’ve possibly been followed by this guy. So she’s confused why the RCMP are slow in taking action about a suspect she’s already reported. But he could be the subject of this week’s RCMP press-release warning of a series of nighttime incidents in recent months, whereby women were approached or followed by a male. Jane shivers thinking about the guy she recognized while following her that night. “When I saw him, I knew who he was. He’s East Indian, pretty short, very skinny, with glasses,” she said of the suspect with “dark hair, dark eyes and dark skin.” Jane’s told police she’s willing to pick the stalker out of police photos. “He was right behind us for a good 25 minutes when I had the double stroller,” Jane said of being tailed along Sherman, Somenos, Moorfield, and Palahi roads. “He could probably have reached out and touched me, but didn’t. I’d speed up, then he’d speed up; he was right there all the time.” Ducking into some bushes didn’t shake the stalker, who didn’t seem to recognize Jane, but did talk to her. “I asked him ‘Are you lost?’ He said he was ‘Just checking out the area.’ This guy’s always been weird. Something’s off with him if he’s following people.” Safely home, Jane was “almost in tears” as she called her mom, then the cops. “I told the police what happened, but they’ve had no contact with me since.” Staff Sgt. Terry Illingworth, of the North Cowichan/ Duncan RCMP, explained Wednesday’s release, seeking citizen help, was sparked by a more recent stalking. “I don’t know if it was related to (Jane’s) incident a month ago,” he said, noting he’ll try to connect any dots in the cases, including following up with Jane. In the release, Mounties ask for help in finding a male alleged to have followed or approached women in the area near Mount Prevost Middle School. “There have been several incidents where women have been followed or approached by a male, late at night,” North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Cpl. Jon Stuart says. more on A4
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