Hamilton school closure protest draws few

A Dundas resident who is fighting the closure of Parkside High School was among protesters outside the Hamilton school board offices on Saturday, hoping to draw more attention to closures in the city.

Bob James, a representative from Parkside works committee, said though the protest was hastily organized, the relatively small turnout wasn't a sign of the issue's importance.

"These schools are public resources that people worked for and fought for," he said. "It's not OK that they get sold off as if they're just another piece of real estate."

The Hamilton school trustees voted Wednesday to close Delta and Parkview secondary schools in the east end and Sir John A. Macdonald downtown. They will vote on Parkside, Highland and Ancaster High on Monday.

The trustees also voted to build a $32-million high school in the lower city pending provincial funding.

James, whose children graduated from Parkside 10 years ago, said many people only get involved with issues such as these when they have children in the schools affected.

"But a lot of us become involved because schools are integral to our communities," he said, adding the school board itself has a responsibility to be a part of the community.

"But instead, it's almost as if the board sees itself as outside and disconnected," he said.

Mary-Louise Pigott, a representative from the George R. Allan Home-School Association, said the protest suffered from bad timing.

"It's just unfortunate that all the communities affected by the accommodation review committees are still very much in the thick of their processes and just didn't have time to organize a co-ordinated rally," she said.

"The Dalewood review committee was completely drained and focusing what little energy we have on the appeal."