Enrolment and potential need for new schools among topics at recent TLDSB meeting

DAN CEARNS The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: Trillium Lakelands District School Board trustees received an update on enrolment and the potential need for new schools at a board meeting on Tuesday, September 26th.

At the meeting, Superintendent Traci Hubbert told trustees the Board currently has 11,837 elementary students, which is 56 more than they were projected to have. The Board also has 5,702 secondary students, 392 more than was projected.

"We did see spikes in a couple of spaces," Superintendent Hubbert said. "We weren't anticipating those students, but they arrived, which is good news for us."

According to a report from Superintendent Tim Ellis, the Board is looking into possibly adding new schools in Kawartha Lakes.

"In October each year, school boards are able to submit Capital Priority Projects to the Ministry for consideration. At this time, our Board does not have any 'shovel ready' projects for consideration by the Ministry; however, staff have been reviewing facilities and planning for potential future projects," the report stated.

The report explained what is driving the need to look at adding schools in the area.

"With the increased plan of subdivision approvals by both the City of Kawartha Lakes and by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing's Minister's Zoning Orders (MZOs), new schools and expansion of existing schools will need to be considered. At this time, staff are considering the acquisition of land and a proposal to build a new school, when enrolment warrants it, in the new subdivisions east of the Lindsay airport and County Road 35, which is currently the Parkview Public School catchment area."

Superintendent Ellis wrote the Board has other options it can explore as well.

"Another consideration being reviewed is a consolidation of King Albert, Queen Victoria and Alexandra Public Schools, and potentially Central Senior. Given the age of the buildings, property constraints and location, a new school could be considered to replace these three facilities, giving the community a new facility which can provide better programming and facilities, building accessibility and other aspects which cannot be achieved at these aging schools."