W2C-016 Roscommon Herald-3.txt
Working Group Set Up To Examine Boyle College

The proposed changes in the second level educational scene in the Boyle and Ballghaderreen catchments were once again the subject of queries from members of the Co. Roscommon Vocational Education Committee at its December meeting on Monday.
By Brian Cunniffe
The meeting was told by the Committee Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kevin McBrien, that the £ 1.7m Department of Education allocation for Boyle's new school would be for new buildings only. He added that the Department of Education were currently making a survey of work needed on the existing buildings. He also informed the meeting that the V.E.C. had no plans to dispose of its property in Ballaghderreen.

Providing the meeting with an update on the Boyle developments since the last meeting Mr. McBrien said that a meeting took place on December 6th in Boyle. The Managements of the three schools and representatives of all the staffs met then with the Independent Facilitator and there was a very frank and open discussion. A working group was set up consisting of parents, management and teachers to examine various modules of Community Colleges in existence "to see which of those would be availed of"

Mr. Christy Brady said that there was delight around the Boyle area that a new school was coming. He then queried the nature of the £ 1.7m allocation as to whether or not some of it would be expended on refurbishing existing buildings.

Mr McBrien- "I understand the £ 1.7m is in respect of new buildings. I admit it would take quite a considerable sum to refurbish some existing buildings."

Regarding Ballaghaderreen Mr. McBrien said that a meeting was arranged for January 12th next involving the Management of the three schools in Ballaghaderreen, the teacher representatives and union representatives to discuss the pros and cons associated with the staffing situation involving the amalgamated schools.
