Description: For generations schools have competed against other schools in sports, drama, music and other activities. But would you believe Ontario’s four different publicly funded systems are competing each other in an effort to recruit systems from one of their three “competitiors.” Apparently in an area of declining enrollments attracting students to a school may be enough to keep your school from closing.

Date: September 6, 2016; updated September 7, 2016

Source: theglobeandmail.com

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/ontarios-competing-school-boards-spend-millions-to-attract-students/article31737795/

Discussion Points:

1) As a student –  and a taxpaying citizen – how do you feel about school boards spending public money to compete for students?

2) In the story, Peel Board spokesman Brian Woodland is quoted as saying “The research is basically what our customers are telling us they want.” Did you notice that word ‘customer’? How do you feel about using this word to describe parents and students?

3) How would a school board classify these expenditures for these various activities in its accounts?