The public will get its chance next Wednesday to learn more about–and have some say in–the proposed expansion of J.W. Walker School the local public school board is looking at building.
Starting at 6:30 p.m., the collective design process will take place at J.W. Walker and is open to anyone.
“We’re really hoping that all the school communities [J.W. Walker, Alexander MacKenzie, and Alberton] come out to this,” said Superintendent of Education Terry Ellwood, stressing the importance of the one-night session.
“We want to dispel any of the concerns and answer any of the questions people might have about this, especially the parents of students from schools that may be consolidated, like MacKenzie and Alberton,” he added.
The architectural firm, Prairie Architects, will be leading the process, starting off with three basic designs of an expanded school and all its features (busing area, sports field, library, administrative area, kindergarten classes, etc.) to get some feedback from the public.
“This is an opportunity for stakeholders to ‘put their fingerprints’ on the design of the new facility,” noted Ellwood.
The board’s steering committee then will take the public’s input, and may decide to make a recommendation on whether or not to go forward with the project at the May 1 board meeting.
At this time, there also could be a recommendations regarding the timing of the project. The board then may entertain motions for school closure.
The board has been evaluating which schools to renovate, and which to possibly close, all year.
The research has been done by various committees, spurred on by dwindling enrolment and the resultant smaller school renewal grants in their annual budget.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
