Dear Editor:
The Wellington North Elementary Accommodation Review is currently underway. The Upper Grand District School Board is deciding whether to keep Kenilworth PS open, or whether to close it and split the students between Victoria Cross PS and Arthur PS.
I assumed that the review was underway due to low enrolment at Kenilworth, but after attending the most recent public meeting I learned otherwise. In fact, all three schools are operating within the board’s target capacity of 80-110% and are projected to remain within this range through 2023.
The issue comes down to money. The board is reluctant to spend $250,000 to complete the required Full Day Kindergarten addition at Kenilworth PS as well as an estimated $650,000 in renewal upgrades. While this is admittedly a large sum, it represents a mere 1.3% of the $68 million capital expenditure budget for the 2013-2014 school year (the most recent budget available on their website).
Low turnout from parents in Arthur and Mount Forest indicates that these parents may be unaware of the potential impact on their children. The board projects that the closure of Kenilworth will push the other two schools to 111-117% capacity by 2023, which meets their definition for “overcrowded”. Portables will be brought in to both schools and average class size is anticipated to increase. There has been no indication of long term plans to relieve these pressures.
I encourage all Wellington North residents to review the documentation provided on the board’s website at www.ugdsb.on.ca/wnar. Comments can be submitted through the website or dropped off at your local school to be forwarded to the planning department. Plan to attend the final public meeting on October 30th to show your support for our children.
Julie Silva