Letters to the editor

Full marks for the Lester B. Pearson School Board for being the first board in Quebec to not only broadcast live its council meetings, but also other various 'public hearings.'Chairperson Marcus Tabachnick reportedly said, “It really opens up to the public the work that we do.” This seeming willingness for openness would be good but there is a caveat. What about the executive meetings, where the key decisions are made?

Is the board planning to webcast those monthly executive committee meetings starting immediately?

There is pending government legislation, Bill 88, which calls for improved governance and democratization of boards and gives the boards the option of establishing an executive committee.

If the public cannot see the executive at work, why not just abolish it?

It has become evident to me over the years that there is a fundamental fault in the understanding, by the board, of what school board democracy means.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Michelle Courchesne’s Bill 88 calls for the modernization of school board democracy. This means more parental involvement because school boards’ past record provides little comfort that they are willing or able to present an open, democratic and accountable organization.

True democracy of school boards cannot be just a façade. To not webcast the executive committee meetings would lead to the further disintegration of elected school boards.

As the co-ordinator of a preschool, I am abhorred to read your article 'Pearson OK's laptops for Pre-Ks,' The Chronicle, Sept. 10. It was not long ago that headlines about obesity in children under 12 years old made the news and the following government incentives to give tax breaks of $500 for any physical activity children are enrolled in. Tell me about a household that doesn't already have a computer or TV or DVD that children are plugged into less than four hours a day! And now we reinforce this docile lifestyle by giving four year olds laptops at school 'to learn about shapes and colours' rather than hands-on manipulation?

It is well documented by research that play nourishes every aspect of children's development — it forms the foundation of intellectual, social, physical, and emotional skills necessary for success in school and in life. Play 'paves the way for learning.' I see no place for

laptops for preschoolers in a school setting. Success at school is not measured purely by academics and computer literacy but more importantly by children's ability to get along and socialize appropriately with their peers. Laptops have no place in this domain!

It can only be seen as a wonderful opportunity for Hewitt Packard to get into one of Quebec's largest school boards.

In response to the letter 'Police should 'stop' doing this,' The Chronicle, Sept. 17, I could have written that letter, every word of it. Not long ago, the same thing happened to me and I know I did make that stop on Beaconsfield Boulevard. How can I prove it court? They (police) seam to target women alone in the car. This practice is well known and should be stopped. How many times have I seen buses going right through the stop signs on the boulevard, I have yet to see a police stopping them! Not many people have such an easy job, sitting in the car, handing out unjustified tickets to fill their quota. Let them parole the neighbourhood more often and keep a better eye on public parking lots. I guess that won't bring in any extra money.