Editor, the Times:

A few nights ago, I sat at the Abbotsford School District board meeting listening to the strategic plan for creating "a world-class, innovative, and individualized educational experience for every student."

The board of education's "first and highest priority" was "to maintain, improve and enhance the range of choices available to students in the Abbotsford School District."

Yet, I could not help but wonder how this great plan was in keeping with the 191 school closures across the province since 2002, with several more on the chopping block, including ours, Dunach Elementary.

The school board talked about honouring who they had been in the past.

What is honouring about closing schools? I have to wonder what exactly is ahead for our kids as budgets and policies rule their future. Then there's the matter of choice.

Our school is being considered for closure partly because only 20 per cent of kids are from the neighborhood.

Yet, the other 80 per cent choose Dunach cross boundary. So, now the plan may force us to go to other schools in the surrounding area, none of which we chose in the first place. What choices do we have when the school districts create the catchments, tell us we have a choice of where we can send our kids - but in the end don't.

Angie Appenheimer

Abbotsford