Freedom Flyer 25

the official newsletter of the
Freedom Party of Ontario

June 1994

PLANT ADDRESSES
LONDON SCHOOL BOARD

LONDON (May 9, 1994) - In response to a request for submissions from the public, Fp leader Jack Plant addressed the London Public Board of Education with a message intended to alleviate the animosity that so often arises when fundamental change is being proposed.

"We are faced with the unavoidable prospect of the end of public education as we have come to understand it," stressed Plant. "Politicians, administrators, and the public are beginning to understand that individuals are going to have to take more responsibility into their own hands - not only in education, but in many other areas of their lives which the government has thus far been responsible for, such as healthcare and pensions."

NOT PARTISAN

In an effort to avoid the perception that individual responsibility is simply a matter of political preference, Plant emphasized that "(t)his is not a partisan view I have expressed. I do not have some sadistic interest in destroying the present system, or some perverse political motivation. It is just reality working as it must and it is inevitable that we are going to see drastic changes in the future."

Citing Ontario's provincial deficit which is increasing the debt at a rate of over $1 million per hour, Plant extended his offer to help trustees lobby the provincial government, protesting its expensive and intrusive programs. While acknowledging people's concerns on issues, ranging from multiculturalism to safety, Plant made it clear that such issues are detracting from the fundamentals of education and competing for increasingly scarce tax dollars.

WORK TOGETHER

"Even though it may be unavoidable," said Plant, "I have no desire to create animosity. All too often, the relationship between the board and those who advocate reform has been an adversarial one. I think that the board is guilty of perceiving the recommendations of various groups as personal attacks - because of what they perceive to be attacks on many aspects of the education system which they have come to believe in."

That adversarial attitude was clearly illustrated by board reactions to a previous submission made by London-Middlesex Taxpayers' Coalition (LMTC) chairperson Jim Montag, who attacked the board on a number of fronts and insisted on a comprehensive audit aimed at exposing waste or improprieties. Montag was severely criticized by education director Darrel Skidmore who, in his defence, cited a previous LMTC audit of his personal expenses which revealed "no improprieties whatsoever."

"We have an opportunity here today to begin to change these attitudes," suggested Plant, "...to begin to develop an honest working relationship with the intention of solving our mutual problems."

PLANT CHALLENGED

Plant's views were challenged by board trustees Bill Brock, Linda Freeman, and Alex Sutherland, who also requested an extensive list of specific areas in which the board could make changes. Plant responded with a May 26 letter accompanied by 94 specific suggestions and comments which was distributed to all trustees, the media, and various other lobby groups and politicians.

"The political will to open our minds to new alternatives is essential," concluded Plant. "Two things are required of the board - action and results. When the public sees these let me assure you that you will have their full support."

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