Raise the Hammer
Note to Education Minister: Correlation is Not Causality
What needs changing is the way we as a province conceive of education and educators. We all-too-often value the appearance of success over actual mastery.
by Tom Shea
Published September 03, 2019 in Special Report: Education (0 comments)
Ward 3 School Board Trustee Appointment Needed More Public Engagement
Although there have been many wonderful articles about the death of Ward 3 Trustee Chris Parkinson this past May, the airwaves have been silent since HWDSB Trustees voted to appoint the first runner-up to replace him.
by Larry Pattison
Published June 25, 2019 in Special Report: Education (0 comments)
The Absent Voice of the Silenced
Shannen Koostachin really believed that kids could change the world. I can't think of a better way to name a new school than to honour her memory and legacy.
by Larry Pattison
Published June 22, 2018 in Special Report: Education (1 comment)
The West Hamilton School Accommodation Review, So Far
School Board Trustees will be presented with at least eight options which they will have to weigh against the problems this accommodation review was launched to address.
by Jason Allen
Published March 22, 2017 in Special Report: Education (4 comments)
Systemic Racism and Class Inequality a Reality in Hamilton School Closures
Closing these schools and leaving a neighbourhood with a large immigrant population without any schools is an injustice that should be challenged.
by Yen Graham
Published February 27, 2017 in Special Report: Education (14 comments)
School Board Proposal to Close Hess School Draws Heated Opposition
Over 100 participants overwhelmed the School Board's efforts to control the agenda of Wednesday's accommodation review meeting.
by Jason Allen
Published January 13, 2017 in Special Report: Education (1 comment)
Westdale a Welcoming School for Special Needs Students
We considered many possibilities, from a special needs school in the west end to private school. We always concluded that Westdale was best.
by Debra Hughes
Published October 12, 2016 in Special Report: Education (1 comment)
City, School Board Neglecting Dr Davey Student Needs
When prioritizing, both the City and School Board seem to place the needs of these kids last.
by Tanya Ritchie
Published April 11, 2016 in Special Report: Education (32 comments)
To Reduce Inequality, Start Early
Implementing a better curriculum and education system will help combat poverty and inequality.
by Sarah Warry-Poljanski
Published April 11, 2016 in Special Report: Education (11 comments)
Letter: Keep Mountain Secondary Open
The School Board has high schools that provide specialized learning programs for students who do well in school, but nothing for students who will struggle once Mountain Secondary School is closed.
by Ryan McGreal
Published February 24, 2015 in Special Report: Education (0 comments)
Reverse the Closure of Sir John A Macdonald Secondary School
Planning decisions by the school board can no longer be made in isolation from needs of the community at large.
by Gary Santucci
Published December 02, 2014 in Special Report: Education (25 comments)
Yet Another Disappointment for Parkview Students
At the last minute, the School Board has reneged on its promise to transition Parkview Principal Paul Beattie to Mountain Secondary, where Parkview students are attending while a new North high school is under construction.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 29, 2014 in Special Report: Education (9 comments)
School Boards Reflect Our Cultural Priorities
If we want neighbourhood schools that kids can walk to, we need to build and maintain neighbourhoods where people walk.
by Sean Hurley
Published August 25, 2014 in Special Report: Education (19 comments)
The Parkview Institute: Defining Hamilton's Schools as Community Hubs Model
The community has spoken. It's time to explore Schools as Community Hubs. It's time to build a model and with it comes a need to choose one community to set the example.
by Larry Pattison
Published May 22, 2014 in Special Report: Education (3 comments)
Parkview and Early School Leaving
Stop the school closures to allow due process within a democratic society and find a suitable building for Parkview, the specialized programs and students.
by Cheryl Hobbins
Published March 26, 2014 in Special Report: Education (1 comment)
School Funding Formula Missing Social, Economic, Human Costs
When you have children with mental health struggles, Parkview Secondary School has the qualities necessary to accommodate those children in a safe environment to continue their path to education.
by Cheryl Hobbins
Published March 14, 2014 in Special Report: Education (9 comments)
Community Engagement to Achieve Green Space for Dr Davey Students
The Beasley community is an active, engaged, committee community, and will welcome the opportunities and challenges of finding the best solution.
by Chris Erl
Published February 20, 2014 in Special Report: Education (8 comments)
The Parkview Closure: A Parent's Nightmare
I've spent thirty years dealing with our education system and mental health system with three children who have complex needs. Now the Board is creating a more unequal education system than ever.
by Cheryl Hobbins
Published February 18, 2014 in Special Report: Education (11 comments)
Keep Parkview Open
A former Parkview Secondary School student explains how the school helps its community and why it should stay open.
by Lynn Watkins
Published February 10, 2014 in Special Report: Education (4 comments)
Parsing Parkview's Perilous Position
It is easy to place all the blame for neighbourhood-harming school closures on Trustees, but they are making their decisions in a policy context that makes bad decisions all but inevitable.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 30, 2014 in Special Report: Education (11 comments)
Parkview Students Need Some of the HWDSB's Support for Mental Health
If the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board truly takes mental health seriously, it will reverse its decision to close a dedicated school for students with mental health issues.
by Christine Bingham
Published January 28, 2014 in Special Report: Education (2 comments)
Collateral Damage in School Board Machinations
Parkview students are the most immediate, most tragic victims of the Board's outsized game of Monopoly with the city's essential public infrastructure.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 22, 2014 in Special Report: Education (37 comments)
Why I Seized the Mic at a School Closure Meeting
The Accommodation Review Committee process is set up to pit community factions against each other and force the predetermined conclusions that fit the Board's agenda.
by John-Paul Danko
Published November 10, 2013 in Special Report: Education (4 comments)
School Board Mistakes Assets for Liabilities
With any sort of serious effort to add additional revenue streams, the Board could very easily augment fluctuating enrollment and excess capacity by leasing and renting out access to its assets.
by John-Paul Danko
Published October 25, 2013 in Special Report: Education (38 comments)
Serious Concerns About School Accommodation Review Process
When parents feel like their concerns have not been listened to or addressed, they will disengage. This will only lead to a negative result in our schools.
by Amanda Kleinhuis
Published October 17, 2013 in Special Report: Education (15 comments)
HWDSB Recommends Closing Three Mountain Elementary Schools by End of Year
A bus ride turns a five-year-old Kindergarten student into a commuter. This is a student who would have otherwise walked to their local community elementary school.
by John-Paul Danko
Published October 08, 2013 in Special Report: Education (36 comments)
School Closures and Civic Engagement
No one person can represent a whole community. To make better decisions, we need broader civic engagement.
by Larry Pattison
Published September 27, 2013 in Special Report: Education (9 comments)
Trustee Accused of Conflict of Interest in School Closure
A West Hamilton resident has filed an application accusing HWDSB Trustee Judish Bishop of violating the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act over her votes to close Prince Philip School while keeping GR Allan and Dalewood open.
by Ryan McGreal
Published February 25, 2013 in Special Report: Education (16 comments)
Community Engagement Missing from Sanford Decision
It is blatantly obvious that the decision to demolish Sanford School was already a done deal and the people of ward 3 had not been informed and certainly not part of process.
by Glenna Jones
Published January 24, 2013 in Special Report: Education (15 comments)
The Truth About Sanford Avenue School
We can destroy this school and remain the same kind of people. Or we can preserve it and become the kind of people we have always aspired to be.
by Gary Santucci
Published January 19, 2013 in Special Report: Education (92 comments)
Opportunity to Save Sanford School and Provide Community Green Space
I am struggling to understand the urgency to demolish this beautiful structure. I would encourage the Board to reconsider the urgency - let me and a team of developers expend some effort to preserve this heritage building.
by Michael P. Clarke
Published December 16, 2012 in Special Report: Education (29 comments)
Another Sacrifice Zone: The Sanford School Area
As we grapple with a 20 percent poverty rate in Hamilton, and wonder why it is so concentrated in certain neighbourhoods, we have to question the way our School Boards and our Government operate.
by Dave Serafini
Published December 08, 2012 in Special Report: Education (37 comments)
Moments of Zen: Saving Sanford School Becomes Theatre of the Absurd
This meeting was not about thinking things through. It was about stirring up emotions and hurling accusations to divide a community and protect a blinkered bureaucracy.
by Chris Healey
Published December 05, 2012 in Special Report: Education (37 comments)
School Board Governance Review Recommends Less Public Input
Anything that restricts the ability of the public to participate in the Board's decision making process will only exacerbate its institutional reflex for secrecy and unaccountability.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 17, 2012 in Special Report: Education (16 comments)
Board of Ed Building on Heritage Canada Foundation's Endangered Places List
A demolition permit has been issued for the building, and McMaster has no plans to incorporate any part of this structure into their new development on the site.
by Matt Jelly
Published June 27, 2012 in Special Report: Education (23 comments)
Opportunities Squandered in Education Centre Decision
It just doesn't feel like this Board of trustees is on the same team as the majority of Hamiltonians who expect all public institutions to collaborate in good decision-making.
by Matt Jelly
Published May 30, 2012 in Special Report: Education (42 comments)
School Board Betrays Urban Neighbourhoods
It's hard to avoid the conclusion that the fix was in from the beginning, that this whole process was mere ceremony to present the illusion of inclusion.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 30, 2012 in Special Report: Education (16 comments)
HWDSB: Downtown HQ Task Force disbanded
Citizens will walk away feeling that many of our representatives didn't truly listen to our input, and went along with decisions they had already predetermined from day one.
by Matt Jelly
Published May 29, 2012 in Special Report: Education (55 comments)
Still Waiting for Detailed Cost Estimate of Board of Education Renovation
Sometimes we have to let it go, but not every time. We need much better cost data before concluding it is infeasible to renovate the Board of Education building.
by Matt Jelly
Published March 08, 2012 in Special Report: Education (16 comments)
'Sweetener' Leaves Bad Aftertaste
Public Health qualifies for $21 million in provincial subsidies no matter where the Public Health Department chooses to locate their offices.
by Graham Crawford
Published March 05, 2012 in Special Report: Education (31 comments)
No Time to Blink
When McMaster threatens Council, it threatens all Hamiltonians. This Hamiltonian doesn't like being threatened by people who are asking for a lot of my money.
by Graham Crawford
Published February 29, 2012 in Special Report: Education (52 comments)
Help Me Understand the Board of Education Deal
Under the plan, the City gives out tens of millions of dollars in public money to pay for land it already donated to the Board and gets nothing in return.
by Graham Crawford
Published February 26, 2012 in Special Report: Education (31 comments)
Say No to Swing Space
We don't need to lose two buildings and 9 acres of green space, or to facilitate a plan that would see hundreds of cars and trucks in a residential neighbourhood.
by Matt Jelly
Published February 24, 2012 in Special Report: Education (27 comments)
Why did HWDSB Change Site Scoring?
The HWDSB briefly posted versions of its education centre site alternatives with different scoring than the final versions posted last Monday. Why did the scores change?
by Dan Jelly
Published February 22, 2012 in Special Report: Education (22 comments)
Joe Singer and the Education Centre
Currently, the School Board intends to sell 100 Main Street West, Joe Singer's signature work, to McMaster University, who plans to demolish the building for a new development.
by Matt Jelly
Published February 21, 2012 in Special Report: Education (15 comments)
Pattern of Secrecy in School Board Process
It's time for the School Board to rethink its tendency to conduct business behind closed doors and hide their process from constituents who might otherwise bring desperately-needed community perspective.
by Ryan McGreal
Published February 15, 2012 in Special Report: Education (60 comments)
Inflated Cost Estimates for School Board Buildings
To the list of flaws in the Board policy, we can add the use a flawed methodology for determining the costs associated with their existing non-instructional facilities.
by Mary Louise Pigott
Published February 15, 2012 in Special Report: Education (12 comments)
Crestwood Plan: Bad Decision Based on a Flawed Process
It's not too late for the Board to step back and reconsider a decision on which future Hamiltonians will look back with amazement and disgust.
by Ryan McGreal
Published February 14, 2012 in Special Report: Education (35 comments)
To My Educators: Let's Add Without Subtracting
Why can't we build over a parking lot rather than knock down another building? It's not too late: get involved.
by Matt Jelly
Published February 07, 2012 in Special Report: Education (95 comments)
Bad Things Come in Threes
Why are three of our civic institutions collaborating on such a bad deal for Hamiltonians?
by Graham Crawford
Published February 04, 2012 in Special Report: Education (111 comments)
A Trustee Explains HWDSB Crestwood Plan
HWDSB Trustee Judith Bishop explains the process by which the Board settled on the Crestwood site as the preferred location for a new Education Centre.
by Judith Bishop
Published February 02, 2012 in Special Report: Education (28 comments)
100 Main Street West: We Deserve a Better Solution
If we're going to build a second tower on the back of City Hall, why not use that tower to house city offices which we're currently leasing elsewhere?
by Matt Jelly
Published January 29, 2012 in Special Report: Education (27 comments)
Put HWDSB Offices in City Hall Tower 2: Farr
Councillor Jason Farr plans to introduce a motion for Council to call on the Board of Education to locate their offices in a proposed second tower built on the south side of City Hall.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 27, 2012 in Special Report: Education (32 comments)
Unanswered Questions on Downtown McMaster, School Board Plan
Our Councillors and Trustees owe us some answers on a staggeringly expensive proposal that will demolish an iconic building and ferry the school board out of the downtown core.
by Dan Jelly
Published January 27, 2012 in Special Report: Education (40 comments)
City Needs More from McMaster to Justify $55 Million
Imagine the possibilities for downtown revitalization in a joint bid by McMaster and the City to build a student residence in the vacant Royal Connaught building.
by Joey Coleman
Published July 18, 2011 in Special Report: Education (29 comments)
Uneducated Thinking
The Board of Education and the City of Hamilton consider squandering heritage and vision for expediency.
by Graham Crawford
Published December 13, 2010 in Special Report: Education (51 comments)
HWDSB Decision Reveals Agenda
Something tells me that the School Board is not playing fair in its refusal to consider any option other than the Jerome Park Mountain headquarters.
by Trey Shaughnessy
Published April 30, 2008 in Special Report: Education (7 comments)
Hamilton Education Centre: The Dilemma and the Agenda
If we want to project an image to private investment that Hamilton is the right place to invest, then we first need to invest in our downtown ourselves.
by Trey Shaughnessy
Published February 14, 2008 in Special Report: Education (18 comments)
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