At last night’s Board meeting, Halton District School Board trustees voted on the recommendations in
Report 17075 concerning the Burlington Secondary Program and Accommodation Review (PAR).
A number of recommendations were approved. One of the implications of the approved recommendations includes the creation of two comprehensive schools in Burlington, one in the north (M.M. Robinson High School) and one in the south (Nelson High School), both offering a full range of programs. This allows improved program options for all students, as well as allowing students with special needs to attend schools closer to home.
These are the recommendations approved by the Board of Trustees:
The Halton District School Board will close Robert Bateman High School, effective June 30, 2020.
a) Effective September 1, 2019, the Halton District School Board will revise the existing catchment area for Robert Bateman High School to redirect English program students entering Grade 9 to Nelson High School.
b) Effective September 1, 2020, the Halton District School Board will revise the existing catchment area for Robert Bateman High School to redirect the Grade 10, 11 and 12 English program students to Nelson High School.
By delaying the closure of Robert Bateman High School to 2020, the implications for program changes and student moves outlined in
Report 17075 have also been delayed by one year.
The Halton District School Board will close Lester B. Pearson High School, effective June 30, 2018.
a) Effective September 1, 2018, the Halton District School Board will revise the existing catchment area for Lester B. Pearson High School to redirect students to M.M. Robinson High School.
Beginning September 1, 2018, the Halton District School Board will revise the existing Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School French Immersion program boundary, to redirect students entering Grade 9 French Immersion to M.M. Robinson High School. French Immersion students in Grade 10, 11 and 12 will be grandparented at Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School until graduation.
Beginning September 1, 2018, the Halton District School Board will revise the English program boundaries for Burlington Central High School to include the complete catchment area for Tecumseh Public School, redirecting Grade 9 English program students to Burlington Central High School. Grade 10, 11 and 12 English program students currently attending Nelson High School from this catchment area will be grandparented until graduation.
Beginning September 1, 2018, the Halton District School Board will designate the English and French Immersion catchment areas for the “Evergreen Community” to M.M. Robinson High School.
The Evergreen Community is located in north Burlington and currently has no residential development.
The Halton District School Board will investigate and explore a range of program opportunities for Aldershot High School. These may include a magnet school, a themed school, an alternative school, and/or an incubator school. A report regarding these program opportunities will be presented to the Board of Trustees by February 2018.
Trustees also approved a recommendation to engage affected and interested stakeholders in the development of a consultation and communications plan regarding the implementation of the PAR recommendations.
For more information about the implications of these decisions by the Board of Trustees, please refer to
Report 17075 posted online.
These decisions follow an eight month process that began in October 2016 and involved extensive community consultation.
“This has been an extensive Program and Accommodation Review process with a high level of public engagement,” says Kelly Amos, Chair, Halton District School Board. “I am confident that this is the best plan for achieving more equitable program opportunities for Burlington students, while addressing the issue of low school utilization.”
“I want to assure our Burlington school communities that during the next year we will focus on ensuring the transition of students, staff and programs will be positive and supportive,” says Stuart Miller, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. “We have extensive experience integrating students and staff, and successfully moving programs in our Board.”
During the upcoming months, the Board will provide regular updates to Burlington families which will include more information concerning program changes, student moves and detailed timelines.