Following the final public consultation meeting regarding the possible closure of F.H. Huffman School here last night, the Accommodation Review Committee likely will make its recommendation next week.
The committee will meet Tuesday (April 15) in the Huffman gym at 4 p.m. to discuss the four options put forward:
1. Status quo (keep the school open, with minor repairs being completed with school renewal funds);
2. Single school solution (rebuild single school);
3. Multi-school solution (renovate/add to neighbouring school or build a new consolidated school); or
4. Retire school (close school and move students to neighbouring school with no renovations or additions).
The committee will discuss the School Valuation Framework, which encompasses the value to the student, value to the system, value to the community, and value to the local economy.
It also will review and take into consideration all information and comments before reaching a recommendation.
“It would be nice to have everyone in favour of the recommendation,” committee chairman Dan Belluz noted. “I think the board is relying on the committee to provide a solid idea of our next steps.”
The public is able to attend next Tuesday’s meeting, although they will not be able to offer input.
Four Pupil Accommodation Review public consultations already were held to garner feedback in order to provide direction to the Rainy River District School Board regarding the future pupil accommodation for Huffman—a JK-Grade 3 school.
But feedback was minimal, with just one community member at last night’s meeting.
A meeting back in February had just three people show up, but they made it clear they’d like the small east-end school to remain open, citing the benefits of a smaller school.
Only two comments were made via the feedback forms which are available online (www.rrdsb.com) and at the board office.
Anyone still wishing to submit feedback forms may do so up until April 15.
The board is looking at the possibility of consolidating Huffman with Robert Moore School—and then building a new school at that site.
Although both schools have been declared prohibitive to repair (meaning the cost of repair exceeds the cost of building new), the board does not have to go through an accommodation review for Robert Moore because it is looking at a rebuild, as opposed to a closure.
And with the provincial government offering to provide planning approval for a total capitalized value of $9.8 million to address facility conditions at the schools, the board is moving ahead with the next steps of a rebuild.
Meanwhile, once the Accommodation Review Committee decides on a recommendation for Huffman, they will present that to senior administration within 10 days.
Then the board must wait a minimum of 60 days before a meeting is held for the trustees to vote on the recommendation.
Agendas, minutes, the framework, feedback forms, and other documents are available on the board’s website.
Once determined, the recommendation made to the board by the committee also will be posted.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
