School board working on budget...new school by 2020

The Near North District School Board says it hopes to have a new elementary school open by 2020 and is working feverishly to consolidate its three high schools into two.

In a news release this afternoon, the Board says, "More recent shifts in school-age population, escalating operating costs, prohibitive building renewal costs, aging buildings, and demands for relevant 21st Century programming coupled with changes to the capital funding model, have caused school boards to re-examine their long-term capital priorities."

It points to the consolidation of E.T. Carmichael, E.W. Norman and W.J. Fricker public schools into a new Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 facility on the W.J. Fricker Public School site located at 790 Norman Avenue.  A business case for capital funding was submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Education in early September. 

"Should the Board be successful in its application for funding, a new facility, accommodating 400 students would be anticipated to open in September of 2020.   In the event that funding is not approved, this school consolidation project will be resubmitted for consideration at the next available window for capital funding requests."

The most controversial move has been the consolidation of Chippewa, West Ferris and Widdifield into two schools with the renaming and rebranding of the West Ferris and Chippewa sites. 

"With a sense of urgency, Director of Education Jackie Young and members of Senior Administration have begun collaborations with staff in all three schools to discuss how best to use this opportunity to enhance student program options," continues the release. "This is the first step in the development of a careful and thoughtful framework in support of enhanced student achievement and well-being.  Student and parent voice will be welcomed in the next phase of the process."

No new accommodation reviews will be considered until the Ministry of Education’s revised Pupil Accommodation Review Guideline is complete and the moratorium on establishing ARCs and school surplus is lifted. 

"Exploring opportunities for collaborative capital projects and shared-space opportunities with municipalities, co-terminus school boards, community partners and agencies remains a priority."