Parents take protest over mouldy school to legislature

September 11, 2007

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

CBC - Newfoundland & Labrador - St. 's,Newfoundland,Canada*

protest.html

A group of Burin Peninsula parents said their protest Monday over a

mouldy school could lead to sparks in the upcoming Newfoundland and

Labrador election.

Some parents from the Terrenceville area demonstrated at the

Confederation Building in St. 's to draw attention to a school

that has mould and electrical problems.

Parents from the Terrenceville area protested at the Confederation

Building in St. 's on Monday, demanding a new school.

(CBC) Several parents had been keeping their children home since

classes at St. ph's All-Grade school started last week in a

campaign to get a new school built.

Education Minister Joan Burke, however, insists that a new school is

not in the offing.

Debbie Rideout, who chairs the school council, hand-delivered a

physician's letter to Burke.

" She has addressed in her letter … that there [are] medical issues

in our building, mainly respiratory tract infections, " Rideout said.

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" She sees 20 to 30 kids a month. "

The department agreed to order an air quality test if the children

are sent back to class. The parents reluctantly agreed, but said the

Tories could be in trouble in their district of Bellevue.

" I can't send someone to the house of assembly that's going to sit

with Joan Burke after doing what she's done with the people of

Terrenceville, Grand Le Pierre and English Harbour East, " said

Bolt, a town councillor in Grand La Pierre.

" She slapped us in the face, she kicked us in the rear end. We're

sick of it. "

Burke said she is not fazed by the threat.

" I guess that's for the people of Bellevue to decide, " said Burke.

" Anything can become a political issue…. So we may not be able to

please everyone all of the time, but I think it's incumbent upon us

to do due diligence when we have issues. "

Liberal Percy Barrett, who is retiring from the legislature after 18

years in politics, won Bellevue in 2003 by just 100 votes.

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