Trustees Chart Bold Future with Revitalized Downtown Development

Community Hub a Response to Outpouring of Support for Downtown Schools

HWDSB Trustees transformed a final decision on downtown schools into a bold push for a community hub anchored by a new elementary school on the soon-to-be-vacant Sir John A. Macdonald school site.

The Board of Trustees met Monday, June 5 to conclude the West Hamilton Accommodation Review looking at Bennetto, Cathy Wever, Central, Dr. Davey, Earl Kitchener, Hess Street, Queen Victoria, Ryerson and Strathcona elementary schools.

A late motion by Trustee Christine Bingham (Wards 1 & 2) directed staff to seek partnerships to redevelop the SJAM site as a community hub. If the hub succeeds, Hess students would move across Cannon to the new site and would be joined by neighbouring Strathcona students.

“Trustees sought outcomes that are great for downtown students,” said Board Chair Todd White. “Hamilton deserves a vision for education that stretches for decades into the future – a plan made in the interests of healthy schools and communities.”

Trustees approved the following motion at a Board meeting on Monday, June 5, 2017:

· That HWDSB seek partnerships to redevelop the Sir John A. Macdonald site as a community hub centred around a new JK-8 elementary school.

· That a community hub proposal be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval no later than December 2017.

· That Hess and Strathcona close pending Ministry of Education funding for HWDSB’s portion of the community hub project.

· That all schools remain open failing the creation of a community hub on the SJAM site.

· That Bennetto introduce a French Immersion program (grades 1-8) in September 2018, commencing with grades 1-3.

On Nov. 14, 2016, Trustees approved the West Hamilton City accommodation review to find the best future for students attending the nine elementary schools under review. Passionate public input shaped staff options and the final Trustee motion, creating an outcome that is great for downtown students.

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About HWDSB

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board has a vision in which Curiosity, Creativity and Possibility empower students to learn and grow to their full potential in a diverse world. Learn more at www.hwdsb.on.ca.