Discussions have been under way this summer which may lead to a very innovative solution to the problem of establishing an English-Language Catholic Secondary School in Valley East. Doreen Dewar, Chairperson of the Rainbow District School Board has indicated that her Board would be willing to share space at Confederation with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. The main stumbling block at this time is the nature of the sharing agreement. Dewar’s plan is to open Confederation up to students and teachers from both boards so that they not only share the building, but they also share classes as well. In order to satisfy the Teacher’s Unions, the staff assignments would no doubt have to be based on enrolment figures from each separate Board, but otherwise, Dewar’s offer has gained considerable support from local residents who see this as a win-win situation for the children.

The Catholic School Board has received $6 million in provincial funding to convert St. Anne School into a high school anb build a new elementary school. If the money which was earmarked for St. Anne renovations was re-directed into some renovations to Confederation, the facility would instantly become one of the largest secondary schools in the area with approximately 1500 students. Dewar suggests that by sharing classes, this would enable both Boards to offer a wider variety  of viable programs with class sizes which conform to provincial requirements. Confederation’s population of 750 often results in some classes of less than 15 students which makes it difficult to justify in these times of fiscal restraint. A similar  problem would arise if the Catholic School Board had a school of approximately the same size at St. Anne’s. By sharing the facilities and classes at Confederation, those students would be taught by one teacher in a class of 30 students, making the program much more cost effective.

Paula Peroni, the Chair of the Catholic Board, does not support the offer made by Dewar, stating that it would be impossible for them to maintain their Catholic identity if the students share classes with the Public School students. Peroni had indicated that she is still interested in sharing Confederation, but not in sharing classes.

Local residents feel they are caught in the middle. What they see is an opportunity to develop a very strong secondary program in a building which is large enough to hold over 1500 students. They see the students having access to a large outdoor playing field and track; a hockey arena; a large baseball field; proximity to the Valley East Industrial Park and the Val Caron commercial district for their co-op programs; a large green belt area; and centrally located. They see the language  of instruction and the new provincial curriculum requirements, which mean that students from both boards will be required to take the came course of studies. It appears to residents that the only barrier now is the fact that the Catholic students are required to take several religion courses and will take part in a variety of religious celebrations during the year.

For now, discussions will continue to be held as both sides try to find a solution to dwindling enrolment and dwindling finances. The Catholic Board is adamant that there will be a Catholic High school in the Valley for September 2002. Where it is located is to be decided.