Staff
The Northwest Catholic District School Board has been considering consolidating St. Francis and St. Michael’s schools here, but now it also is looking at pursuing a Catholic secondary school.
At last month’s meeting, the board decided to hold off on a decision regarding the consolidation so consideration could be given to a secondary school.
“The discussion was that if we’re considering a new building right now, that maybe this would be an opportune time to investigate the possibility of a Catholic secondary school in the area,” Director of Education Rick Boisvert explained following that meeting.
Senior staff were asked to investigate the process that would be followed if the operation of a Catholic secondary school here was to be considered.
Information will be provided to trustees at tonight’s regular meeting regarding the process.
For instance, an application would be required to the Ministry of Education through the Capital Grants Application process.
Meanwhile, if the decision is made to further investigate a Catholic secondary school, senior staff would need until September to complete a full report that would consider:
•projected capital cost for start-up;
•projected operational cost for start-up;
•projected financial viability;
•projected enrolment;
•community/stakeholder consultation;
•analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; and
•ministry consultation.
It also is noted that if the decision is made to further investigate a Catholic secondary school, the application process for the consolidation of St. Michael’s and St. Francis would be suspended.
Also at tonight’s meeting, trustees will:
•recognize the dedication and commitment of two teachers at St. Patrick’s School in Atikokan and their classes;
•hear a presentation about the Minister’s Advisory Council on Special Education from Shelly Durance and Joanne Querel; and
•look to amend Board Governance By-Laws Article 16 to include the use of a Consent Agenda.
The meeting gets underway—via videoconference—at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis School.
