What's Going on @ Dunach??

Overflowing bins at Dunach Elementary School - Source - Submitted by Matthew McMath

Abbotsford School District vans are seen often parked outside Dunach Elementary School - Source - Submitted by Matthew McMath

What on earth is going on at Dunach Elementary School? The Abbotsford School District closed this school in June 2010 and boarded up the windows. The Abbotsford Police have been seen there frequently as it is thought that they are conducting parts of their training in the building, but not lately. Over the last few months there has been School District staff, contractors and equipment doing various upgrades and construction. Today, a Bradner parent saw a huge garbage bin outside with tables, chairs, projectors and equipment... why the school district is being so hush hush...?!

On February 3rd, 2016, trustees Kevin Godden and the School Board Treasurer attended Bradner Elementary School for a meeting with Bradner parents who posed questions from every possible angle, re-phrased and re-worded to get results. Straight answers were almost non-existent. The only question they answered without smoke in mirrors or trotting down bunny trails was, "Did the district buy land on the east side of Abbotsford for a new school?"

to which they replied simply..."yes". So, Abbotsford School District wants to build a new school. BUT we know the Ministry of Education has changed their rules and will not pay for construction... unless every school in the district is near capacity. So, one can only assume an undercurrent of a plan under secrecy. The K-5 re-configuration ties into the Long Term Facility Strategy Plan, which is, interestingly enough, is currently under revision.

Clearly, the Abbotsford School Board is trying to fill up Eugene Reimer Middle and Rick Hansen Secondary with our rural kids because these the only two schools in Abbotsford who are operating at low capacities, so they can get their new school. The K-5 reconfiguration proposal has been vehemently opposed by the community and parents alike with astounding survey and petition results. 

​In a survey of sixty Bradner Elementary school families, 100% of the sixty families stated they do not approve of the proposed reconfiguration. This is mainly due to the crime, drugs, violence and gang-wars in the Townline hill area. I recently found over 30 recent articles on the serious issues in that neighbourhood… scary! No wonder no parents trust sending their 10 & 11 year olds there. (Stay tuned to the Barker in an upcoming article on that) 

Bradner is clearly the front-runner in their hard bargain, with Mt Lehman close behind. Parents there will NOT send their children to Eugene Reimer. Our children are the district's source of funding via FTE Grants, we pay their hefty salaries... and we are united, we are leaving the district!

Parents of children currently attending Bradner, Mt Lehman, Ross and Aberdeen, including myself,  have made better plans for their children for September 2016. They have enrolled elsewhere, backing up their stance - private school, cross-district to Langley or homeschooling.

Now, that brings us back to the Dunach mystery... and the attendance of a surprise guest the Bradner PAC meeting who told of a plan for Dunach transformation to a 600+ capacity elementary. When Bradner parents asked the trustees directly we got smoke in mirror answers and something about a Canada Games contract. Parents were not satisfied with un-clear answers and the fact that conveniently enough the facilities plan is being revised right now, and changes are not available to review and the completion date for their revision is unknown... Bottom line is, we like our little schools, they are our lifeblood for our communities - everyone knows everyone here, we watch out for our kids and each other - we help and support one another.. our neighbours are not just our neighbours - they are life long friends and have been for generations! 

Whoever is reading this article and has any info they would like to submit regarding any of these issues, including insight to the Dunach Elementary mystery, can do so anonymously to me @ The Bradner Baker [email protected] or if you happen to be driving past Dunach send me pictures - Thanks! Heather

Construction Photo Gallery

More about the Abbotsford School District's Shenanigans... 

Bradner & Mt Lehman K-5?
Bradner, Rural School Re-Configuration Petition
Bradner School, Damned if we do... Damned if we don't!
Middle School Mayhem: The Case for K–8
Barn Burning Research on Middle Schools
Where your Childs School Funding REALLY GOES in BC
HOW the Initiative, Referenda, and Recall system can SAVE our Abbotsford K-7's
Email issues at Abbotsford School District, RESOLVED says IT Department ​
Bradner Voices it's K-5 Reconfiguration Opinion with Signs
Concerned Bradner Parent Against Reconfiguration
Thank-you for Ruining My Weekend, Abbotsford School District
Mt Lehman Parent Very Concerned
Parent of Barrowtown Elementary Opposing the Grade K-7 Reconfiguration
Community Worries of K-5 Impact on Bradner’s May Day Celebration
Join us Tonight 7PM @ the Abby School Board Office "This is About Community... it's what Canada is Built on!"