MPP Daryl Kramp is quoted as saying, “make sure your facts are correct” in the March 27 article about the protest by Education workers at his office March 22.
MPP Kramp was referencing a handout that I, and other members of the group distributed. The handout explained the impacts of the education cuts. I have been awaiting clarification from MPP Kramp about what facts were incorrect, and to tell the truth, I was hoping that we would be wrong.
Sadly, it looks like the facts produced at the protest were correct. On Wednesday April 10, at the Limestone District School Board’s meeting, the Trustees and the gallery were told that the class size changes would result in the loss of at least 77 full time teaching positions over the next three years. As Teachers retire, they will not be replaced. This represents 11 teachers from NDSS and three teachers at NAEC. Regardless of how you feel about class size, these losses will pull 66 courses out of Napanee and 18 courses out of NAEC. It is already a challenge to run electives such as music, drama and technology at rural schools.
The article also mentions that local businesses were inconvenienced by the protest. I am sorry that anyone felt uncomfortable and hope we can work together when we come back. Many of the protestors were from the Napanee area, they live and shop at local businesses and want to support them. It is perhaps worth considering that to take 14, full time, well-paid jobs out of the economy will hurt local businesses much more than a 90 minute protest.
John Vince, Kingston