New kindergarten to Grade 12 school being discussed

Looks like DSB-One is following the recent footsteps of the NCDSB, as they continue into Year 2 of their five-year plan.

The big plan is that DSB-One is considering building a state-of-the-art school in the east end to house kindergarten to Grade 12, replacing the older Bertha Shaw, Golden Avenue and Roland Michener schools.

Board Chair Doug Shearer says everything that gets looked at over the next few years will have a review done beforehand.

For example, the first part of the plan was to get an extension onto Timmins Centennial School for daycare.  Shearer says the Ministry didn’t agree with that idea and it didn’t go through.

Another plan is to close down R. Ross Beattie and send those students to an upgraded Timmins High starting in September 2018.

Shearer made note that the city has some interest on the Ross Beattie property.

The city recently looked at designs for a new aquatic centre, and it was noted in that presentation to city council that the city could purchase land from DSB-One to help upgrade the Sportsplex as a cost-effective option.

The main issue the schools are running into is declining enrollment.

That’s been the same issue with the English Catholic board in the region.  They are in the midst of an Accommodations Review on four schools, the ACCESS Centre and the board office.