My husband and I along with our two children moved to Paisley 16 - PDF document

Rural Community and Partnership My husband and I along with our two children moved to Paisley 16 years ago due to an offer of employment at Bruce Power. Three years ago, we convinced our parents to move here. A year ago we bought and began restoring a building downtown. Paisley, Ontario is a vibrant village with a strong community that offers a safe and caring environment for children to grow up. This town has an amazing track record of pulling together when things need to get done. When you drive through town, you will see a medical clinic built through community donations and partnerships. When a Paisley child is in need or a family is in crisis, the community steps-up to help. Our school fundraisers are community events and the Paisley Central School breakfast club has been in operation for 16 years. Paisley, like other rural communities, faces unique challenges. In order to stay vibrant, we need all partners committed to a shared a vision. As home and business owners, my husband and I consider ourselves partners in our community. As parents, we volunteer in our village to provide our children leisure and recreational activities. In the same way, we consider ourselves “partners in education” with our children’s school. We are committed to supporting the school and its staff to provide the best education for our children. Bluewater School Board received over 1 million dollars in levy from Arran-Elderslie tax payers and that makes them a major player in our community. The community views the PAR process as a crisis and the citizens of Paisley have united to find solutions to meet the financial requirements of the School board. Keeping the school open is not simply about the children, it is also about keeping our town intact. The good news is that other partners are also stepping up to find solutions. Recently, the Municipality put forward a motion to free up funds that could be used to rent space at the school and decrease the capacity number. Our local, elected officials are committed to keeping the school open and our community alive. At the schoolboard meeting on October 20, 2016, the County of Bruce discussed the provincial commitment to children through the growth of the Early Years program and inquired about the potential for expanding the program using space at Paisley Central School. Expanding the existing Early Years services by partnering with the

Day, Before/After School care within the school system is a win-win situation for everyone involved. This possibility needs to be considered before making a decision to close the doors. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has also made their position clear as a partner in finding a way to keep our school open. The community has been brain-storming ideas to work with OMAFRA to make Paisley Central a specialty school with programs like a community garden to utilize the expansive green space at the school. Paisley has also been discussed as a site to move some of the agricultural program from Chesley District Community School if it is no longer offered there. Paisley Central School utilizes the community by accessing services like the arena and fire hall, as well as participating in town “clean-ups” and honoring veterans at the cenotaph. To fit with school curriculum requirements, expanding opportunities and offering training through neighborhood businesses is another way for the school board to partner with the village and municipality while meeting their goals In 2015, Paisley hosted 21 events and festivals to draw people into our town. The Paisley Chamber of Commerce has a plan in place to recruit families to our town and several community members have already stepped up to begin a fundraising campaign to raise money for any needs that arise from our school-saving solutions. As a member of the Economic Development and Innovation Advisory Committee, I know that Bruce Power is committed to attracting and maintaining both businesses and people to live, work, and stay in local communities. The scope of the long-term agreement with the Independent Electricity System Operator and Bruce Power will have an unprecedented effect on this area, including Paisley. Many young families restricted by oppressive mortgage rules will look to purchase homes in Paisley where we offer lower real estate costs. Paisley, with infrastructure already intact, is ready for growth. Our new grocery store and all of the local businesses that maintain a quaint street-scape are a major attraction for many. Our smaller, community-minded river village offers an alternative lifestyle to the nearby larger centers. Working in partnership to create a community hub benefits the school board, the children and Paisley collectively. Research has shown that a school is a natural vehicle for enhancing community growth and stability. The benefit to the school board is immeasurable and includes: increased parent engagement and increased school attendance, access to the local facilities, decreased bussing costs and times and heightened community pride. As a partner in our local community, the BWDSB has a commitment to our children, our town and its taxpayers. This PAR process is making it difficult to keep the school

open and the community intact. However, I am certain that the trustees did not sign up for the job thinking it would be easy. I believe most sign up because they truly care about children and want to make a difference. The people of Paisley and the partners that advocate for our children and our community want to support the trustees to make the right decision and that is: to find a way to keep our children in our community. Melissa Kanmacher