Plans to review London’s public school boundaries that were previously put on hold will resume shortly.
Last fall, the Thames Valley District School Board announced it would review boundary maps for schools across the city, as part of a recommendation to help find a solution to enrolment and capacity pressures at schools that have reached or surpassed the number of student spaces available.
Significant overcrowding at some schools in northwest London was highlighted in a report, and discussed during a TVDSB Board of Trustees meeting back in late November of last year. The board decided to defer the boundary review until they could receive more details from the province, after $600-million in funding, aimed at supporting 78 school and childcare projects across Ontario, had just been announced.
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On Wednesday, the Board announced it will go ahead with the attendance review, after learning it will receive a $7.2-million expansion of Eagle Heights Public School, a new $17.5-million elementary school in north Woodstock, and a new $20.7-million elementary school and child care centre in southwest London.
“Making sure our schools are at their optimal capacity is an important step to ensure students receive the support they need,” said Chair of the Board, Lori-Ann Pizzolato. “Through this planning process, we will confirm that students are being provided with the best possible programming and facilities.”
In a report submitted on January 25, several items, including a review of the current areas facing issues and proposed changes, were highlighted. The report stated boundary adjustments will be developed for schools with the most severe current and projected utilization, with plans to redirect students to the closest underutilized school.
The board said that families with children attending the affected schools have been notified. They will receive follow-up information about the public consultation process on January 26. Community members are also invited to review the information and submit additional questions and feedback on the London Attendance Area Review website.
