When Erin and Hillsburgh parents were asked what they want their
schools to be in the future, their main response was “Open!”
About 100 people turned out to a workshop style meeting at Erin
Public School on Feb. 28, hoping to discuss low enrolment issues.
The meeting was hosted by the Upper Grand District School Board
(UGDSB), as part of the consultation process in developing a Long Term
Accommodation Plan (LTAP) throughout Wellington, Dufferin and Guelph.
There will be another round of consultation before the final plan
goes to trustees in June. There will be no recommendations on school closures –
just further steps in a lengthy process that could lead to future changes.
There was some frustration because the meeting format did not allow
attendees to make comments or ask direct questions of school board officials in
the public session. Instead, people sat in rotating groups of six and were
asked to describe their schools now, and what they want them to be.
“The discussion questions
last night were odd,” said Cooper in a Facebook post. “They didn't address the
issues the school communities were facing at all.”
Town Councillor Jeff Duncan called the questions “lame”, since they
did not deal with enrolment.
“This was an intentional attempt by Board officials, not even
supported by their own trustee, to keep a lid on the community being able to
voice its concern over the real issue here of the future closure of schools,” said
Duncan. Residents were asked to fill out an on-line survey that closed just two
days later.
There is particular concern over enrolment at Ross R. Mackay School
in Hillsburgh. Its population of 90 students is expected to drop to 64 in five
years, using only 32 per cent of the school’s capacity.
That rate could stay low if there is no housing growth, making it a
candidate for closure. With new subdivisions supported by sewers, enrolment
could rebound to 165 (83 per cent usage) in ten years.
The discussion groups were able to bring forward suggestions to help
boost attendance at MacKay, including a boundary review that could increase its
catchment area, and the transfer of some special education classes to the
school.
There is also the possibility of making Brisbane Public School
entirely French Immersion, which could result in more English-only students at
MacKay.
Cooper supported investigation of such alternatives, but said the suggestion
of adding Grades 7 and 8 at MacKay would not be practical. Technology courses for
those grades are only feasible with higher student populations.
With sewage capacity to support new housing, Brisbane is projected
to reach 107 per cent of capacity (477 students) in 10 years and Erin Public
School to reach 79 per cent (423 students). Without substantial new housing, Brisbane
would grow more slowly, reaching 101 per cent in 10 years, while Erin Public
would decline to 47 per cent.
St. John Brebeuf Catholic School in Erin village currently has 238
students, but could accommodate more than 300. Principal Lowell Butts said
they are holding steady, with the same number of students as in the previous
school year.
Mayor Al Alls and Trustee Cooper have urged residents to support
development of a wastewater system, but there is concern about the cost to
existing urban homeowners. An Environmental Assessment is expected to wrap up
this spring with a definite wastewater plan, but an actual system could still
take well over five years to develop.
“The town has spent a large amount of money, time and energy in
going through the regulatory hoops to allow for growth in our community,” said
Duncan.
“I would hope the UGDSB would over the short to mid term allow this
required process to play out and work with us.”
