Thread: In the latest instalment of Webber Academy trying to block a publicly funded school from being built next door, Webber has asked its parents to engage in a letter writing campaign over traffic concerns. The parents claim that Webber should be allowed to buy the CSSD land.

The board has explored this option and did not want to sell. The site allocated for a school is site ready. That means that it is ready for the sod to be turned. But no, parents argue. Webber should be allowed to buy it. In fact, Webber should be given first crack at it.

Even though the board doesn’t want to sell it. Even though there isn’t an equally site ready piece of land on the west side to buy. Even though this school would give space to 1500 students including. Even though it’s 1hr+ to the designated school.

The land for this school was set aside more than 20 yes ago. Webber never made a peep until a group of 5 moms formed an informal committee to get some action. He thought he could bull doze those moms but they weren’t shaken. They kept fighting so their kids could have a school.

The school he is fighting is number 6 on the board’s capital plan. That means it is a long way from the top three projects that typically receive funding. Webber is engaging in a campaign of fear mongering - hoping to kill this school by inundating the city with traffic concerns.

Webber parents are demanding that *someone* force the board to sell its land and that local kids who can’t afford $20K for a private education simply “move along” elsewhere. I’d like to ask these parents where their protests were when Webber fought two Muslim kids over prayer.

Or where their protests were when Neil Webber said publicly that we should be exploring the positive effects of residential schools? Not a peep. But build a publicly funded school next door? Pitchforks are glistening in the sunlight.

They are protesting a public build but accepting public money as private schools receive 70% of public per student funding and the UCP is hoping to change that with full funding. It’s already $20K a year tuition at Webber. The extra 70% funding allows them a gross advantage.

My school doesn’t have an executive chef or a Nordic ski track. It certainly doesn’t lock its gate and refuse the public access to its playground. It also doesn’t have a performing arts centre/theatre. But hey- not all schools can take with both hands, either.

The bottom line is that Webber should not be permitted to bully the board into selling. The board must not be forced to sell, either. Private schools should not be dictating a publicly funded build.