Elementary Accommodation Reviews Nearing Conclusion
The East Hamilton and Stoney Creek school accommodation reviews are nearing a conclusion, with a final staff report submitted to Trustees, a delegation night held and a Trustee decision on HWDSB’s proposal for the Ministry of Education expected on June 6, 2016.
No final decision has been made by Trustees.
The process began on Dec. 7, 2016 when Trustees approved a recommendation to start accommodation reviews in the two areas. Accommodation reviews 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 East Hamilton review included Elizabeth Bagshaw, Glen Brae, Glen Echo, Lake Avenue, Sir Isaac Brock and Sir Wilfrid Laurier elementary schools; the Lower Stoney Creek review included Collegiate Avenue, Eastdale, Green Acres, Memorial (SC), Mountain View and R.L. Hyslop elementary schools.
Each 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. In both reviews, the committees 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 a final recommended option to Trustees for consideration.
The staff recommended options – after advisory committee input – are summarized below. See the full report presented at the May 16, 2016 Board meeting online.
Final Staff Recommendation – East Hamilton City 2:
Staff revised the initial Dec. 7 report to reflect a three-school model proposed by the advisory committee with the added suggestion that the new school be built on the “Glen campus.”
- Consolidate Glen Brae, Glen Echo and Sir Isaac Brock into one new rebuild – Anticipated occupancy Sept. 2019
- Close Elizabeth Bagshaw, Glen Brae, Glen Echo and Sir Isaac Brock – Anticipated June 2019
- New Construction of 800 pupil place school on Glen ‘campus’ – Anticipated opening Sept. 2019
- New Construction at Lake Avenue – estimated eight classroom addition and staff and resource benchmark spaces for Sept. 2019
- New Construction at Sir Wilfrid Laurier – estimated two-classroom addition, one FDK addition or renovation and resource benchmark spaces for Sept. 2019
Final Staff Recommendation – Lower Stoney Creek:
The initial option from Dec. 7 remained intact based on the Advisory Committee’s support.
- Rebuild Collegiate Avenue, Eastdale and Memorial (SC) – Anticipated occupancy Sept. 2019
- Close Green Acres, Mountain View and R.L. Hyslop – Anticipated June 2019
- New Construction of 520 pupil place school on Collegiate Site – Anticipated opening Sept 2019
- New Construction of 460 pupil place school on Eastdale Site – Anticipated opening Sept 2019
- New Construction of 550 pupil place school on Memorial (SC) site – Anticipated opening Sept 2019
The public can still have its say in writing. Send written submissions by 4 p.m. May 31 to Heather Miller at [email protected] if you wish to have your input included in the June 6 board meeting package.
Updated on Thursday, May 19, 2016.