Behind the collection is Åsa Olsson, parent of a student at the school.
– We see this as a sharp signal to the politicians that this is an important issue that deserves to be taken seriously, she says.
In order for an advisory referendum to become a reality based on an initiative from citizens, it is required that ten percent of the municipality’s eligible voters request it. If all signatures on the school issue in Hedemora are approved, over ten percent have been reached.
Voting in the municipal council
After that, it is required that at least one third of the members of the municipal council support a referendum.
– Spontaneously, I think you can get it through, given how members have voted in the past, answers municipal councilor Lennart Mångs (M) when asked if he thinks this initiative can lead to a referendum.
What do you think that there was a petition and maybe a referendum on this issue?
– I fully understand that. I need to take responsibility for the entire municipality’s finances and conditions, so I have a different view. In four or five years we will have one school too many. That is the reality, says Lennart Mångs.
“Can’t brake out of a crisis”
Among other things, the municipality has raised fewer children and high renovation costs as arguments for closing Västerby school.
– I understand the reasoning around children’s groups going down, but I don’t buy that you have to slow yourself out of a crisis. If you want to have families with children who work and bring in tax money for the municipality, we have to have a functioning school, says Åsa Olsson.
When asked when it might be appropriate to hold a referendum, if it is voted through, the municipal councilor replies:
– You usually say that you have referendums in connection with other elections because it costs as much as another election. Our last election cost around SEK 1.3 million.