Although the article; ‘City wants school site authority.’ appearing in the March 9 edition of the St. Albert Gazette presents the facts of the matter quite well, further comment is in order. Three public presentations from residents were made to council on March 7 addressing Coun. Bob Russell’s motion, two being oral (Bill Van Hoof and myself) and the third written (Kristin Toms) all calling for the authority in approving school site allocations being restored to city council.
The debate on the motion was at times embarrassing as it reflected no small degree of servitude to the school boards and the resignation that by virtue of the contractual agreement with the School Site Allocation Committee, council’s hands were effectively tied. The motion was subsequently passed by a four to three vote. It is however a “hollow victory” since the matter now rests with the member boards. Should acceptance not be forthcoming, it behooves the city to give notice that it will seek to terminate the current agreement.
This agreement should never have been made by a previous council in the first place but now rests with the current council to correct. It is not being suggested that the school boards should not have significant involvement but that in the end, final authority must rest with council. The competitiveness and acrimony that currently exists among the school boards further supports the need for a major overhaul of the entire process of school site allocation. Anything less is just plain wrong!
Subsequent developments including an additional article in the Gazette on March 12 call for further comment. While I do not argue with the school districts’ arguments of the need for significant changes to the Municipal Government Act (MGA) in relation to school site allocations, I take exception to their underlying tone and attitude. The Protestant school district’s tactic of threatening to withdraw from the site allocation committee, which in the past has been utilized by the Catholic district as well, is disconcerting. With all due respect to the ‘institutions’, this behaviour is like that of petulant and over indulged children engaging in temper tantrums, stomping their feet and holding their breath, until they get their way. Such antics are most unbecoming to say the least.
The addendum serves to further underscore the message that the creation of what has arguably become a ‘Franken committee’, albeit created by a previous council, has made it incumbent upon our current elected members to take firm action. This must occur prior to the April first deadline in order to effect the dissolution of the status quo and restore council’s authority. Once this is accomplished, the matter of school site allocation can start anew and work within a co-operative and publically accountable framework.
Murray Lambert, St. Albert
