West Hamilton City Accommodation Review Nearing Conclusion
The West Hamilton City Accommodation Review is nearing its conclusion, with a final interim staff report submitted to Trustees, a delegation night held and the upcoming final proposal by Trustees to the Ministry of Education expected on June 5, 2017.
Trustees have made no final decisions.
The process began on November 14, 2016, when Trustees approved a recommendation to start the accommodation review.
Accommodation reviews are an opportunity to work with the community to look at schools in a ‘big picture’ way to plan for the future and create the best environments for students. The intent is to revitalize programs, renew facilities and maximize partnerships.
The West Hamilton City review included Bennetto, Cathy Wever, Central, Dr Davey, Earl Kitchener, Hess, Queen Victoria, Ryerson, and Strathcona.
The review sought input in a variety of ways, including consultation with community partners, public meetings and working meetings involving an Advisory Committee comprised of parents, teachers and non-teaching staff. The Committee provided comments and feedback for the Board of Trustees consideration; they also served as conduits to share information with school communities.
After months of meetings, and with this community input, staff were able to submit an interim report, with a final recommended option to Trustees for consideration.
The staff recommended option – after advisory committee input – is summarized as:
- Hess and Strathcona combine into a new school JK-8 school on the Hess school site
- Bennetto would begin a grade 1-8 FI program starting with the introduction of grades 1-3
- Revise Earl Kitchener and Ryerson English and FI boundaries
Staff further recommend that if funding is not received by spring 2019 for the option above, that HWDSB implements the following alternative recommendation:
- Hess and Dr Davey consolidate into Dr Davey
- Bennetto would begin a grade 1-8 FI program starting with the introduction of grades 1-3
- Revise Earl Kitchener and Ryerson English and FI boundaries
For full details of the staff recommended option, and to see the three Advisory Committee options, please review the Final Staff Report.
Updated on Friday, May 12, 2017.