Comment 75233

By Henry and Joe (anonymous) | Posted March 15, 2012 at 13:42:17 in reply to Comment 75217

While it is true that enrolment has declined over the past 10 years, the question of which schools should be closed is complex. If we wanted a simplistic solution, we could just turn the problem on its head. Instead of insisting that emptying schools are closed before new ones are built, perhaps we can insist on a moratorium on all new builds until old schools are filled to capacity. This way people who choose new subdivisions, and arguably have more choice in where they live, will select a location that has easy access to schools.

While salaries are the largest component of education budgets at about 75%, blaming teacher unions as 'greedy' is easy but not correct. The last teaching contract raise of 3% per year was generous, but not that out of line with the Broader Public Sector. OPSEU got 2.25 % /a in 2008, and in May, the OPP got a 5% raise, and Toronto Metro police came in just under 3% for a 4 year deal. Most teachers that I speak to are prepared to accept a pay freeze (real wage cut), in order to combat rising education costs. However, I doubt the membership will feel inclined to hand back benefits that have been collectively bargained and earned through hard work. That is not greed, that is being principled.

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