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The lay-off notices were sent to all Lincoln County high school teachers with seven years seniority or less. The nine teachers who had taught at the former Eden Christian College were credited only with the years since the school joined the public system.
Eden was hit harder than other schools because it is the fastest growing high school in the county, and has a higher proportion of younger teachers. Enrollment at Eden has grown from 155 in 1987 to 455 in 1996.
Some people fear that an influx of more senior teachers to Eden from other schools might alter the Christian perspective of the school. However, Jake Warkentin, chair of the Eden board, said they have assurance from the public board that the original agreement to allow Eden to interview potential teachers will be honoured.
"Pink slipping" is based on a legal requirement to give six weeks' notice, and does not mean that it will actually be carried out. The Lincoln board has assured Warkentin that all the teachers with seven years seniority--those who came into the public system in 1987-88--will be hired back, with no loss of salary, seniority or benefits.
He acknowledged, however, that in the future Eden will likely become less distinctly Mennonite in character. Already the student body is only 35 percent Mennonite, while the other 65 per cent represent 55 congregations from a mix of denominations.
Although the present round of cutbacks was unexpected, Warkentin wondered "How far do we as Christians push to have things our way?"
There were many benefits when Eden joined the public board: salaries virtually doubled; the school received a new computer lab; new school buses were made available.
Warkentin wondered whether Eden has the right to demand that rules be short-circuited to accommodate them simply because the changes may not be beneficial.
Eden's principal, Ray Smith, said he has "no real anxieties regarding the Christian character of the school." He feels it is good that Eden went public--the Lincoln board took a risk in taking on Eden.
Smith said he detects fear and negativity in the criticism which has focussed on potential dangers, rather than on advantages of the arrangement. He added that he would want the school to close if it lost its Christian character.
Jake Wichert, who has been teaching at Eden for 32 years, outlined the advantages of the new arrangement. The last few years of Eden Christian College were difficult financially--Mennonite Brethren churches outside the Niagara Peninsula became reluctant to support the school.
Enrollments were declining prior to 1988. Warkentin believes that Eden would likely have closed if it had not gone public.
The Ontario MB Conference still helps to support two chaplains who deal with spiritual matters; there is also a guidance department. All students (except grade 9) must attend chapel every morning at 8:30 a.m., before regular school hours. Students who miss frequently risk being transferred out. Grade 9 students have a Bible program instead of chapel.
According to Wichert, the emphasis in Christian education at Eden is changing. Over the past 50 years the focus was internal--on serving the church. Over the next 50 years, the focus will be external--on serving the community.
Kevin McCabe, reprinted with permission, from Mennonite Reporter
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