Proposals for central-west elementary schools expanded to include younger siblings

Responses to an Engage OCDSB survey are also being reviewed to ensure all perspectives are considered, the OCDSB said. Photo by ERROL MCGIHON /Postmedia

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Ottawa’s largest school board has added a proviso to its review of boundaries and programs for six elementary schools in the west-central sector of Ottawa.

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The changes affect Churchill Alternative, Hilson Avenue, Broadview Avenue, Fisher Park/Summit Alternative, Elmdale and Woodroffe Avenue schools.

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The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board proposals were released on May 6 and a public meeting was held that evening.

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Under the proposals released May 6, none of the schools are being closed, but some boundaries will shift. Early French immersion will be phased in at Churchill and Hilson Avenue to help balance school populations over time.

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The May 6 proposal included also included “legacy” exemptions for current students at the six schools. Those already in senior kindergarten through Grade 8 at the six affected schools will not be forced to move and younger siblings will be able to stay at the same school as older siblings —  providing there is the appropriate grade and program for the younger sibling — as long as the younger sibling is in junior kindergarten by September 2027. Younger siblings not in junior kindergarten as of 2027 could apply to the school board for a cross-boundary transfer.

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But some parents at the May 6 public meeting that night were skeptical about that option.

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“It’s very, very hard to actually get something approved through this transfer,” said Laura MacKenzie, a Summit Alternative parent.

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An updated proposal released May 8 revised the “legacy sibling provisions.” If a family has a student enrolled in one of the six schools, all of that student’s younger siblings will be granted permission to attend the same school — regardless of the younger sibling’s age — as long as the family remains in the original school catchment.

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“Last night, we heard a clear message regarding the importance of family unity and sibling transitions,” said the OCDSB in a May 8 message to the community. “We understand that the stability of having children attend the same school is a top priority for our families.”

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There may be other changes as well. The board is also reviewing the responses to an Engage OCDSB survey to ensure all perspectives are considered, said the OCDSB.

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“A final proposal that reflects these considerations will be shared with the community by the end of May.”

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The goal of the review is to balance enrolment and introduce new programs at the six schools to ensure long-term stability as alternative programs and middle French immersion programs are being phased out at some of the schools. While some of the schools are at or very near capacity, others have low enrolment.

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A controversial plan to introduce sweeping elementary program boundary changes for the entire OCDSB began in the spring of 2024. It was scrapped last October by provincially appointed supervisor Bob Plamondon after he concluded that the changes would have been “highly disruptive.”