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(The following article taped to this page dated Apr. 13/72) PARENTS DISCUSS SCHOOL CLOSING The School Committee, to study the future of our three elementary schools in Pickering Central One, held its second meet-ing at Hilltop School last Wednesday evening. Present were two school trustees, four admin-istration representatives, the school principal and five parent represent-atives. At its first meeting one month ago, the Committee had discussed the problem declining school popul-ation resulting in smaller classes with fewer children entering kinder-garten each year. At its second meeting the committee suggested sev-eral proposals to change the situation - (a) The three schools could be closed this September (1972) and all the stud-ents accommodated in Ajax Schools, probably necessitating portable classrooms - (b) one or two of the schools could be closed, with some students being accommodated in Ajax Schools. (c) The schools could be left open and continue to operate at less than capacity levels, but keeping Pickering Beach children at Paradise School from Kindergarten to Grade 5, Hilltop and Whitby child-ren at Hilltop for Grades 1 to 5, and all senior students Grades 6 to 8 at Cloverlane as at pres-ent. This proposal would eliminate the present switching between schools for the junior grades and would cut down on a lot of the bussing. Before making any definite decision, the Board has decided to study the operating costs of the three schools to see if they really are un-economical, since they have been basing their calculations on class size only. If the schools are not more expensive to maintain than the county average, then of course, this cannot be a reason for closing them. The Board will also in-vestigate the expected student enrolment from the new high-rise apart-ment buildings on Har-wood Ave. After that date, a public meeting will be called for all parents whose children will be affected at which they may voice their opinions on any proposed changes. (We are indebted to Mrs. Janis Mitchell, a member of the School Committee of parents and Board members, for the above report.)