Board wants parents and community to be aware of impact on opening of new schools.
At the Board meeting of December 5, 2018, trustees of the Halton District School Board (HDSB) expressed concern about delays that may have an impact on new school building projects. Specifically discussed in the report was the impact on the opening of the new Milton SW #1 high school and the new Oakville NE #2 elementary school.
Trustees unanimously supported a recommendation to inform the Halton community regarding the status of these new school builds, as well as unrelated renovation projects.
“As one of the few growing school boards in Ontario, trustees are keenly aware of the need to plan for this growth and build new schools in areas where enrolment pressures are highest,” says Andréa Grebenc, Chair of the Halton District School Board.
Both the Milton SW #1 high school and the Oakville NE #2 elementary school have been on the HDSB capital priorities list since 2015. The Ministry of Education approved the funding for the new Milton high school in November 2016, and approved the funding for the new Oakville elementary school in January 2018. Property acquisition and site plan approvals proceeded for both sites.
Further Ministry of Education approvals are pending, and therefore the original opening dates of these two schools have now been delayed.
“As trustees we want to ensure parents and the community are fully aware that this delay means more portables, busing students out of their neighbourhoods, and as well as the possibility of having siblings from the same family attend different schools,” adds Grebenc. “The funding provided to the Board for land purchase, design, tendering and construction for these two schools does not reflect the current market.”
Due to the upcoming Kindergarten registration timelines, parents/guardians of students impacted by these delays in Oakville will receive a letter.
For additional information, contact:
Andréa Grebenc, Chair
Halton District School Board
905-335-3663 | Toll-free 1-877-618-3456