Capital Submission Response – Sherwood

Letter – capital submission response Sherwood

Dear Sherwood families,

At Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB), we consider school renewal a strategic priority because the quality of our learning environments supports student learning and well-being.

Each year, school boards can submit up to 10 of their most urgent capital projects for which they seek Ministry of Education approval to complete. The ministry assesses proposed projects and announces funding if approved.

Successful capital project submissions have brought HWDSB about $237 million since 2012, allowing us to build two new secondary schools, 10 new elementary schools and several significant additions and/or renovations at 12 other schools.

In spring 2021, one project we proposed was the construction of a replacement secondary school for Sherwood Secondary. Rebuilding Sherwood would be a more cost effective and less disruptive accommodation solution for students and staff.

Sherwood has approximately $11.96 million in high and urgent renewal needs and about $200,000 in accessibility needs (not including elevator replacement). Current and future generations of students would have access to quality learning and teaching environments to maximize learning and program delivery. HWDSB will contribute $9,012,000 of identified funding to the project.

Unfortunately, this project was not approved this year. The opening of the new Nora F. Henderson Secondary School allows HWDSB to consider other options for using the $9 million.

We will consult the school community on possible next steps as we seek to improve learning spaces for students. We will ask for your input on three options that were previously discussed:

1. Status quo.
2. Move Sherwood students temporarily to the school on the previous Barton site, while renewal and work to meet secondary school benchmarks is completed at Sherwood.
3. Complete renewal and benchmark work at the school on the previous Barton site and move students from Sherwood to this school permanently.

We will share more information about the community consultation in early 2022. Feedback will be shared with Trustees, who will provide direction to staff on how to move forward.

Sincerely,

Angela Ferguson
Superintendent of Student Achievement (Family of Schools 3)