Whoa Horsey!!! This is illedged and speculative at this point. But all good points Warren.

Byron makes two good points (and possibly many others!). Firstly, why was it necessary to build the school on what could be termes prime land - or at least beachfront? There's a vast amount of fairly good quality land near (but not in) the DFC area south of town that wouldn't have neede this expensive infill. I don't know whether the school needed to be located where it is for the pupils' sake, mind.

Secondly, his point on property taxes. My house in the UK is half the size of my AC one, yet my property taxes there are about US$34000 annually (and it's standing empty). Even 10% of that imposed here could transform public services.

Just a note. Whatever deal was made between the Wilson's and the Planning Board was done by the previous board not the sitting board.
My second point is about the kids. Holy Cross serves 2 free meals a day to students which is great. They will be getting many more students because of that. I know some from the DFC that will commute up for the meal plan. It is commendable. But what about the RC students . Are they less deserving? I go back to the fundraising umbrella plan. The "friends" could be the "friends" of all San Pedro students and make sure all kids get a free lunch.

The government HAS the money to fund education on the island.

Most people here on the island thought the government didn't have money to fund road construction here on Ambergris. Now look and see what's happening. Nothing like a bit of organization and urgency to get things done.

Most folk here think the Government of Belize is too broke to send some of our tax dollars back to the island for education and more (and much needed) road improvements etc. While the majority continue to think that way the Government is more than happy to agree with them.

Bywarren, there's an awful lot of wasteful spending at the Town Council level here on Ambergris. Next time we're having a beer together I'll explain. Suffice to say I really don't feel that they're ready to manage even more of my money.

Education is Central Government's responsibility. We can't just write off the tax dollars we're sending to Belmopan ...kids on the island deserve better.

Chris my good friend, the GOB is broke. They can't service their national debt even to pay just the interest. That is a whole different discussion. The fact remains that the children of AC are being neglected and it should be the people of AC that find a solution for that problem. If you can get the GOB to do what is should be doing, fine, If not, then look for another solution. It is not enough for us to sit back and say the GOB is the problem and not find a solution to the problem.

You are right, the kids deserve better.

GOB as an entity is broke, but quite a few of the individual members are far from.

It was my understanding that Vern Wilson came to the island, said he was going to build a condo project.

It is also my understanding that Vern Wilson came to the island and said he was going to build a primary school that would provide school lunches.

I thought, at the time that Vern was going to build this school on a portion of the land that is on the eastern side of the roadway.

I was horrified when I saw where the school was being built. I was also dismayed to see the school soliciting funds. I thought the big developer guy with the magnanimous heart, the big yacht and the fancy house on the beach was going to actually improve the schooling opportunities on the island. Instead this has turned into an unmitigated disaster.

I agree with Bywarren. Stop blaming the town council, stop blaming the government. This is a community problem that needs to be resolved.

There are a lot of hard working parents sending their kids to the Holy Cross because it is their ONLY option right now. The situation isn't perfect, but the parents have to work each day and their kids need an education and a controlled environment.

No self respecting, honourable charity is going to consider donating to this school if the community it serves doesn't take the bull by the horns. GOD HELPS THOSE THAT HELP THEMSELVES.

Now personally I believe that Mr. Wilson should have done what he said he would do. The plan should have been made, controlled and implemented. Letting the school run out of control and taking responsibility for so many more students than the school could handle was not only reckless but down right dangerous.

The folks that now depend on this school want to see it improved, not destroyed. However, I believe it is not sound business sense to keep throwing money into a bottomless swamp hole.

I say :
1.Move the school buildings, the town board/government can figure out where to. A place that has water, power, sanitation disposal and road access - and is high and dry without the requirement of fill.
2. Wrestle the school out of the control of whomsoever is supposedly in charge.
3. Set this school up as a true government sponsered school that is governed and staffed by government employees.
4. Set up a charity that financially aids the school. Said charity should have a board of all of the folks that are truly interested in the cause and have sound business sense. Donations will be logged, all payouts will be approved by the board and a monthly or quarterly report will be made to all donors and potential donors.

So, how much room does the school really need in order to operate "as is?"

Let's start there.

Absolutely spot on -I agree with everything Amanda has written
p.s. just imagine the comments if I had written her post

Question: Since the RC School is Catholic, why is the Holy Cross being Anglican such a problem? Many schools in Belize are Anglican.
From their website: "Today, the Diocese is comprised of 31 churches spread throughout the country. In addition to providing spiritual homes for our many congregations, we are engaged in missionary outreach within and outside of Belize and are actively engaged in international companion diocese relationships. Through our churches and communities, in partnership with the government of Belize, we sponsor one preschool, eighteen primary schools and one high school. Total enrollment is almost five thousand children. Our schools employ about two hundred and fifteen teachers. The diocese also sponsors the Anglican Theological Institute through which we work to equip church members, ordained and lay, to embrace more fully their leadership roles in the church."

I also agree with Amanda's post except the "Stop blaming the town council, stop blaming the government" bit....if charitable donations need to be monitored and audited then what about our millions in taxes?

Last year this island almost ground to a halt during the rainy season because of our disintegrating roads and a group of VERY worried businesspeople got together and secured government funding to pave the road from Distributers to BWS. And that was the same government everyone was saying is broke.

Look, there IS money, paying taxes and expecting NOTHING back will get you just that, NOTHING. We have a community responsibility to jointly expect more from our own money. We play into government's hands when we just say "Keep our money, we don't expect any of it to come back to the island."