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Thursday Thursday, April 16 16, 2015
EDUCATION
8th Ave, Gill schools to close MARTIN WISSMATH ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
After years of discussions and a cancelled attempt last year, the Alberni School District board of trustees finalized the decision to close two elementary schools on Tuesday. According to the new school reconfiguration policy adopted by the district in November, a required period of 60 days for public consultation began in mid–February and ended this week, leading up to the final vote by trustees. Two bylaws were passed by six trustees; one bylaw for each school to be closed – Gill Elementary and Eighth Avenue Elementary. Each bylaw required three readings. All the trustees voted in favour of the bylaws except trustee Pat Dahlquist who was absent. It was a “sombre” mood at the
SMYTH
meeting, held in Wickaninnish Community School in Tofino, said SD70 Supt. Greg Smyth. “We reached a decision that will help us address declining enrolment and excess capacity and revenue…all of that was accomplished,” Smyth said. “But clos-
ing schools is not something we celebrate…It’s a difficult decision. It impacts on students, families, employees, neighbourhoods.” Smyth said a few administrator jobs at the two schools will be lost as a result of the move. But he doesn’t expect any major cuts to staffing. “When it comes to teacher staffing we’ve been making reductions in the previous years,” he said. “There’s little, if any, that we can continue to reduce. Our operating expenditures when it comes to teachers are significantly lower than districts similar to us and the provincial average.” SD70 board chairwoman Pam Craig said it was an emotional experience when the final votes to close each school passed. Eighth Avenue Elementary is one of two Alberni Valley schools, along with Gill Elementary, that will be closed by the district this year. [ERIC PLUMMER, TIMES]
See SCHOOLS, Page 3A
WATERFRONT
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
$50K consult needed: Mayor Contractor to analyze city management ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
tively inexpensive investment, Kenny said. “It is a work in progress and will take time,” he said. “The community needs to have a focus on what they need to do.” One of the first things to help the overall appearance of the beach is a work bee organized by the Port Alberni Girl Guides. The Guides recently received a $2,000 grant from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation grant program, which they donated to the City for trees to be planted at a public event on April 25.
It’s necessary for the city to set aside $50,000 for a consultant to review management pay and structure, ensuring public funds are efficiently spent, say some council members. The consulting contract has been included in this year’s spending plan, which passed through three readings on Monday and is due for final adoption later this month. The $50,000 consulting job would analyze the number of managers on the city’s payroll and how much they get paid compared to other small cities. Mayor Mike Ruttan said the initiative follows the city’s goal of finding “value for money,” as set out in it’s newly adopted strategic plan. “This is part of our commitment to ensure that money that we are spending as a city is being spent wisely,” he said. “We’ve all made that commitment and we want to make sure that our money is going where we want it to go.”
See BEACH, Page 3A
See CONSULTANT, Page 5A
Sandra Gentleman hopes some community fundraising efforts will help ensure a new pier is built at Canal Beach. [KRISTI DOBSON, TIMES]
Canal Beach goers seek funds for new pier KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
A small group of beach enthusiasts want to see a new pier at Canal Beach, despite the lack of financial support from the city. Last year’s budget originally included $500,000 to reconstruct the unsuitable pier that currently sits unused at Canal Beach. When the item was removed from consideration, it was brought up again this year at half the value. Again, last month, council made the decision not to support the proposed $250,000 for beach improvement and suggested
users spark an interest in community fundraising efforts. From there, Sandra Gentleman, advocate of waterfront expansion, met with Coun. Sharie Minions to formulate a plan. “Many people have been receptive with the vision of Port Alberni being a vibrant, waterfront city,” Gentleman said. She said recent community input showed interest in two areas, both of which were not funded. One was safe, public access and beautification of Canal Beach and the other, a new public pool. “When I met with Sharie, she indicated there was interest from
other councillors to improve public access at the beach,” Gentleman said. “Since it is not in the budget at this point, we want to find other ways to make improvements and are looking for community involvement.” Scott Kenny, director of Parks, Recreation and Heritage, said it would likely take more than $250,000 to complete the pier and other amenities. “It would be substantially more after completion of a pier if you want to add a playground, park, trees and other site amenities,” he said. Funds to add sand was set aside last year, but that was a rela-
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