Trustee questions need for Lockerby's STEP program

"Those conditions and the environment have changed dramatically over the past 24 years (since the program began),” Morrison said.

“Technology is used every day in every Rainbow school, elementary and secondary ... Computers, laptops, tablets, hand-held devices, smart boards and smart technology are everywhere.”

It was after a presentation by the Lasalle Secondary School parents' council last June that the board began examining the issue of specialized programs, known as magnet programs, at four of its high schools, including Lockerby.

The parents complained that Lasalle — which does not have a magnet program — is suffering from an image problem, with many students choosing instead to go to schools that have magnet programs.

A consultant's report came out strongly in favour of magnet programs. Staff came to the same conclusion after their own review, and recommended the status quo for magnet schools.

After hearing presentations from members of the public over the past two months, trustees voted this week to maintain all four of its magnet programs, which offer instruction in everything from the arts to technology.

Morrison questioned whether the board should be busing students right past their community schools just to attract a few students from other local school boards, who might consider attending Rainbow's magnet programs.

“I don't think getting a few students from our conterminous boards is worth it, because it's being done at the expense of other Rainbow schools and Rainbow students,” she said.

But the board's chair, Doreen Dewar, said Rainbow can't afford to lose the students magnet programs attract.

Over the past four years, Lively District Secondary's School's Integrated Technology program has attracted 26 students from other local school boards, Lo-Ellen's International Baccalaureate program 66 students, Sudbury Secondary School's Arts Education program 96 students and Lockerby's STEP program 391 students.

Trustees did vote to have senior staff consult with community schools such as Lasalle to see what additional supports could be provided to attract more students to these schools.

They also voted to ensure the mandates of magnet programs are examined every five years.

“What we're doing now, the status quo, is not good enough for me,” said Santala, who said he opposed keeping the STEP program to send a message to board staff. “I want to see a lot more done to support our community schools.”