Rise in enrolment may spare some Sudbury schools from closure

After student walkouts and a series of public consultation meetings, two high schools and two elementary schools have been taken off the chopping block by Sudbury's public school board.

In its final accommodation plan to trustees, staff at the Rainbow District School Board recommend continuing operations at secondary schools in Lively and Chelmsford, and Adamsdale Public School and junior kindergarten to Grade 6 in Larchwood Public School. 

They are also proposing to consolidate eight elementary schools, build two new elementary schools, and revitalize one elementary school and three high schools.

"This has been a long, hard journey for all of us," trustee Judy Hunda said at a meeting on Thursday.

"I think that what is presented tonight — not only does it make a lot of people happy —  but I think ... it's in the best interest of students."

The board initially suggested closing or merging 12 schools in the Sudbury area due to declining enrolment and a $3.6 million shortfall.

'Really torn with this'

But after getting approximately 200 more students than expected this school year, the board was able to make modifications.

"It's not a huge growth scenario. Let's be clear about that, but it's enough to keep us going and to sustain things," director of education Norm Blaseg said, adding that the provincial government gives the board about $12,000 per student.

"The future looks good for us."

But not every one is pleased with the revisions.

Even though Chelmsford's high school is no longer up for closure, parent Felicia Fahey expects she will have to move her children because the school will no longer offer French immersion. 

"I'm really torn with it," Fahey said.

"Parents in these communities want their kids going to community schools, and if French immersion isn't an option than they've taken our options away."

Board appealing to Minister of Education

​The board has sent a letter to Ontario's Minister of Education, Mitzie Hunter, asking for a strategy on rural schools. It is also appealing to the Ontario Public School Boards Association for help.

"We need a structure that's going to protect our community schools," board chair Doreen Dewar said. "It's going to require leadership, and that leadership has to come from the ministry."

The board's revised plan would slash its operating expenses by $2.2 million annually. 

If passed by trustees, the recommendations would place the board in a position to balance its budget without having to draw on reserves until 2019.

Members of the public can make presentations to trustees about potential school changes on December 12.

Trustees will then decide whether to accept, modify or reject the board's proposals on February 7.

Breakdown of board's final recommendations

1. Central Sudbury 

• Continue offering junior kindergarten to Grade 8 French immersion at Alexander Public School
• Transfer English and French immersion Grade 7 and 8 students from Lansdowne Public School to Sudbury Secondary School for September 1, 2018
• Subject to provincial funding: Build a new junior kindergarten to Grade 6 English and French immersion school on the Queen Elizabeth II Public School site to accommodate Lansdowne Public School and Queen Elizabeth II Public School by September 1, 2019

2. Espanola 

• Consolidate Webbwood Public School into S. Geiger Public School next September

3. New Sudbury 

• Continue offering junior kindergarten to Grade 6 at Adamsdale Public School
• Revitalize Lasalle Secondary school to accommodate Grade 7 and 8 students from Churchill Public School's English program and Carl A. Nesbitt Public School's Fench immersion program for September 1, 2018
• Subject to provincial funding: revitalize Churchill Public School to accommodate junior kindergarten to Grade 6 students from Churchill Public School and Cyril Varney Public School for September 1, 2019, and build a new French Immersion junior kindergarten to Grade 6 school on an existing school site in New Sudbury to accommodate students from Carl A. Nesbitt Public School, Ernie Checkeris Public School and Westmount Public School for September 1, 2019

4. Valley East 

• Consolidate Grade 7 and 8 students from Pinecrest Public School into Confederation Secondary School next September 
• Provide junior kindergarten to Grade 6 at Redwood Acres Public School next September 

5. Valley north

• Revitalize Chelmsford Valley District Composite School to create a junior kindergarten to Grade 12 school offering junior kindergarten to Grade 8 in English and French immersion, and Grades 9 to 12 in an English Program for September 1, 2018
• Consolidate Chelmsford Public School into Chelmsford Valley District Composite School
• Discontinue the French Immersion Program at Levack Public School for September 1, 2018 
• French Immersion students from Levack Public School will attend the revitalized Chelmsford Valley District Composite School
• Transfer Grade 7 and 8 students from Larchwood Public School to Chelmsford Valley District Composite School for September 1, 2018
• Phase out the French Immersion Program for Grades 9 to 12 at Chelmsford Valley District Composite School beginning next September
• Extend the French Immersion boundary for Sudbury Secondary School to accommodate French Immersion students from Chelmsford Valley District Composite School

5. West Sudbury 

• Continue offering Grade 7 and 8 English and French immersion, and Grades 9 to 12 English program at Lively District Secondary School
• Continue offering junior kindergarten to Grade 6 English and French Immersion program at Walden Public School