BarrieToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in reference to 'COLUMN: Silence isn't always golden when dealing with school board,' published Nov. 13.
I was frankly shocked at the reaction of Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) director of education John Dance when asked why the board failed to reply to inquiries from MidlandToday staff.
MidlandToday is not a hostile force trying to take the board down but local news media attempting to provide useful information for taxpayers and parents.
If the Catholic board responded immediately, then obviously the topic being broached was hardly likely to send the SCDSB up in flames.
“High-handed and arrogant” is how Mr. Dance’s stance seems.
As a publicly funded organization, the Simcoe County District School Board is not really in a position to shut the doors on the press. Insisting on “rebuilding relationships” before their well-funded and staffed communications department plays ball with local media.
Sounds to me like a boldfaced attempt to skew news to only what the board wants released.
For sure that doesn't line up with the public's right to know about possible issues as well as “good news stories" in Simcoe schools.
Pat Michener
Midland
