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Midwestern

Derby Parent Questions Legality of Bluewater Board's Pending Motion

Bluewater District School Board trustees are about to possibly break a promise made by the previous board.

Trustees are to vote on a motion Tuesday related to the future of Derby Public School in the Owen Sound area.

But a Derby parent, who is also an Ontario superior court judge, takes issue with the process.

Two years ago the board voted to keep Derby open for at least another five years.  Now the board wants to include Derby in the current accommodation review process.  Staff have recommended Derby close next fall.

Trustees will vote on a motion Tuesday that would rescind the earlier motion to keep it open.

Clayton Conlan is a former Grey County crown attorney and is now a judge.  He says the motion to rescind is inappropriate.

Conlan has two children at Derby and addresses the issue as a parent.  Conlan wonders why the Board doesn't just follow it's earlier decision.

"If the board wants to pursue the closing of Derby School, and the board is obviously entitled to do that, why not just simply follow the decision that was made and readdress the matter at the expiration of the five years," says Conlan.

Conlan says the board would have a hard time finding a lawyer to agree the motion before the board is appropriate and suggests they seek independent legal advice.

Board chair Ron Motz disagrees and says the board is allowed to rescind a motion according to Robert's Rules of Order.

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