Heather Latter
The Northwest Catholic District School Board last night decided to hold off on a decision to consolidate St. Francis and St. Michael’s Schools here.
A recommendation was provided that the board approve the submission of an application for a School Consolidation Capital project involving the consolidation of the two local schools opening no later than the 2017-18 school year.
But trustees tabled the recommendation until the board’s meeting in March in order to gather more information.
“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 said this morning.
He noted senior staff will be going back to trustees with a report that investigates the possibility of a Catholic secondary school being part of that project.
Superintendent of Education Brendan Hyatt recommended the board pursue the consolidation of St. Francis and St. Michael’s Schools because they are in need of upgrades and there is significant excess capacity at both schools.
“As both schools currently have excess capacity, and the schools are older and less-efficient, the consolidation of two schools will lead to a reduction in utility costs,” he noted in his report to the board.
He indicated St. Francis, which was first built in 1957, has a capacity of 268 students (not including portables).
Enrolment currently sits at just 159 so only 59.3 percent of the school is being utilized.
St. Michael’s, which was first built in 1962, has a capacity of 266 students, with 176 currently enrolled.
So it is utilizing 66.1 percent of the school.
“A school with capacity for 350 pupils would meet projected enrolment needs, although this would be reviewed in detail with the ministry,” Hyatt explained.
According to the area per pupil benchmark calculator, Hyatt said 350 pupils at 11.02 square metres/per pupil would result in a school size of 3,857 square metres (or 41,516 square feet).
“The estimated cost to build the new school ranges from $300-$375 per square foot, and there would be additional site preparation costs and architect fees,” Hyatt noted.
He added if the school is built on the St. Francis grounds, the old school would have to removed upon completion of the consolidated one.
“The board would be required to sell St. Michael’s School, and any proceeds of disposition would be directed towards the cost of the new school,” Hyatt said.
With the board having requested feedback from stakeholders, Hyatt also included a summary of the 17 responses received.
There were strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats listed for both options.
Some of the strengths of having the schools remain the way they are included that St. Michael’s is adapted to the size and needs of younger students, and that people like their little ones being in a small school.
Some weakness listed included costs of maintaining two schools and parents having to travel to two different schools.
Strengths of consolidation, meanwhile, included everything being modern and new, children not having to change between schools, and opportunities for more space (such as an on-site chapel or for new programs).
Weaknesses listed included the possibility of having smaller, darker classrooms with limited shelving, more students to supervise, and the loss of a “community” feeling.
Hyatt also considered the potential mining industry for the district, as well as the possibility of the local mill being brought back into operation.
The board’s consideration to consolidate the two schools was initiated last August when the Ministry of Education announced details of a new capital and consolidation program that’s intended to support schools in managing their spaces.
Boisvert presented a report to the board in September indicating that due to the short timeline, they were unable to access funding for the 2014-15 year.
But the board opted to conduct consultation with stakeholders of the two school communities and had the business case prepared so they are in a position to move forward when the Ministry is ready to take on more capital projects.
.In related news, the board deferred submitting an application for a School Consolidation Capital project involving the right-sizing of St. Patrick’s School in Atikokan until a future round of funding is made available.
It also decided not to submit an application involving the right-sizing of Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton.
