For over a year now, Sherwood high school has been viewed as being on death row.
Much of the public sees the fix has been in for some time now, with institutional neglect practically sealing its fate.
But while the odds have been stacked against Sherwood, it hasn’t really deterred students from seeking out the school with a black cloud over it. Enrolment dropped about four percent last fall, while its nearest counterparts, Barton and Hill Park, dropped more than 10 per cent.
So you can see why last week’s revelation that Billy Green students would be able to attend Saltfleet rather than Sherwood meant more than just happy parents near the Upper Stoney Creek elementary school.
Few people have thought the high school closure review was going to be anything more than a mandatory exercise handed down by the Ministry of Education. The common thought is that staff will get what they want in the end — and the Billy Green move in the middle of the review further proves it. After a year of being told with a straight face that Saltfleet is overcapacity and therefore ineligible to be part of an “accommodation review,” thumbs are being put to noses by those in control.
The thought that the fix is in has even filtered down to the students.
Take a look at the cartoon accompanying this column. Michael Brown, a Grade 10 student at Sherwood, produced it as part of a civics class.
Along with the wrecking crew working away in the background, the caption says it all: “The options presented by the ARC will be taken into consideration before any school is closed.”
He has succinctly summed up what so many people are thinking. With a talent like that he’s certainly got a future as an editorial cartoonist.
Now, Michael is the son of Sherwood teacher and high school closure committee member Jackie Brown, so he may be a little more attuned to what’s going on, but he says most students see the black cloud overhead.
It’s not surprising. Kids are perceptive and can figure out when the adults are pulling the wool over their eyes.
Bowes and arrows
Just after Christmas I saw four cardinals dining in the backyard of my east Mountain home. A few weeks later comes word that the Thunderbirds are reverting to their old Cardinals name. I’m taking that as a sign of good things to come this summer at Bernie Arbour Stadium.
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Speaking of  Bernie Arbour, there is no truth to the rumour of an outdoor hockey game there next January. There’s actually not even a rumour, I just thought the idea was funny.
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In case you missed the Mercury Theatre on the Mountain’s Groundhog Day show last week on Twitter (@MountainNews), Mountain Millie has called for six more weeks of winter.
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After Coun. Terry Whitehead twice made the mistake of calling Angelo Mosca “Howard” at last Friday’s Canadian Hard of Hearing Dream Home lottery draw, the Ticat great shot back with “Thanks a lot, Bob.” At least he didn’t whack him with his cane.
Gord Bowes is editor of the Mountain News. The Editor’s Notebook generally appears biweekly. Got a tip, complaint or suggestion? Email editor@hamiltonmountainnews.com.