Update on Southeast Oakville School Closures – Final Approvals Passed

In mid-June, Halton District School Board trustees confirmed the final ruling on the Southeast Oakville (Ward 3) public school closures. After months of debate and community input, the trustees voted in favour of an option put forth known as Hybrid 3B. If you’re like me, Hybrid 3B means nothing to you so I’ve summarized what this means below.

The following 3 schools will be closed as of September 2010: Brantwood, Chisholm and Linbrook. A new elementary school will be built in Clearview and the remaining schools of Maple Grove, EJ James and New Central will remain open.

Facts:

• Maple Grove, EJ James and Clearview all qualify for a full-time Principal, Vice Principle and SERT (Special Education Resource Teacher). New Central will not qualify for a Vice Principal
• School closure project is expected to result in a positive cash flow of roughly $3.9 million after proceeds from land disposition and construction costs are accounted for
• Expected to reduce bussing requirements from 858 students to 565 students (34% drop)
• Ideal elementary school size has been deemed 450 students
• Total Southeast Oakville enrolment capacity is 1677 students. Projected enrolment in 2015 expected to be roughly 1470 students
• Construction costs are required to accommodate student enrolment changes (and school supplies) at the new and existing schools

Interested in knowing exactly where your child will be attending? Click on this link to see the proposed school boundary maps for the area. Note that the Halton Board has a tendency to change boundaries based on enrolment projections so the boundaries may change between now and September 2010.

If you have questions about this or any other topic related to Oakville real estate, please contact me at 905.338.9000, lindsay@remaxaboutowne.com or visit my website at www.lindsaywalls.com.

Regards,