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Duncan does not need a new high school built

The Duncan high school has had a brand new roof put on
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Duncan does not need a new high school built

I am writing in regards to the recent decision by our newly elected school board trustees, that they have decided the best option in regards to the future of the present Duncan senior secondary school is to have a brand new high school built. Total nonsense! Why?

The Duncan high school has had a brand new roof put on, and all walls have been reinforced along with new double pane windows installed throughout the total building. These major renovations paid for with taxpayer dollars.

The Cowichan Valley student enrolment was 7,906 students in 2012 and 7,825 students in 2017. A decline of 81 students. Isn’t it amazing what decisions are made when it comes to taxpayer dollars? If the plan was always to have a new high school built, why was taxpayer money spent on the above renovations. Money does not grow on trees and the answer is not to always increase taxes on an ongoing basis because of bogus decisions made by our local school board. How come the roof wasn’t patched in serious areas, and no new windows installed instead?

I ask this new batch of school board trustees, when is the last time that you moved from your present home into another newer home? Probably never, because the cost would come out of your own personal finances. I for one totally believe that the Cowichan Valley does not need a new high school, and will address my concerns with the Ministry of Education of the provincial government in Victoria, updating them on recent renovations paid for with previous funding transfers to the Cowichan Valley school district from the Ministry of Education.

Our present Cowichan school board of trustees, seem to forget that student enrolment is the key factor here, before considering a new high school, and this decline proves that a new high school is the wrong decision when it comes to taxpayer dollars. Next door in Nanaimo, B.C., Nanaimo still has the same high school that was built in 1952 with no signs of replacing the school with a new school. Total Nanaimo student enrolment was 13,971 in 2012 and 13,897 in 2017 a decline of 74 students. Unbelievable!

Joe Sawchuk

Duncan