The Near North School Board’s decision to keep McDougall Public School open for another year may lead to some new financial burdens for taxpayers.
That’s according to the Minister of Education, Paul Calandra, who sent a letter sent to Board Chair Ashley St. Pierre in mid-April. He says the ministry has invested nearly $60 million towards the new K-12 school project, and it is irresponsible for the board to reverse course at this late stage, as the new facility is ready to open in September.
“Your eleventh-hour decision reverses more than ten years of work and capital planning, not to mention significant expenditure,” states Calandra. “This is not in the best interest of students, taxpayers, or the community. Your decision is unacceptable.”
He says if the board does not reverse their decision, taxpayers may be faced with new capital expenditures upwards of $50 million, and the board may be faced with unanticipated ongoing operating expenses of up to $10 million annually.
Calandra says he’ll propose new government regulation to authorize him to intervene in what he describes as a fiscally irresponsible decision – however he hopes the board will realize the gravity of the decision and reverse it, without the need for the ministry to take further steps.
He adds it is also intended that McDougall Public school would continue to be used as a school within the community to support French-language access, ensuring it remains open for students and community activities.
According to Ministry of Education officials, Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario was allocated funding through the 2024-25 capital priorities program to purchase and renovate a school in the Parry Sound area to support French language access.
“The McDougall school property could be purchased at fair market value to support this project,” stated Ministry officials in an email.
“There have been discussions with Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario regarding how this property could be used to support French-language access in this region, including discussions between the two boards going back to 2021-22.”
In a recently released statement, Near North Board Chair Ashley St. Pierre says the plan to have McDougall school house French-language programming for students and the community had never been shared with trustees before, and that the plan quote “comes that the direct expense of English public students, who would be forced into overcrowded classrooms and portables on the first day of school in a newly built K-12 facility.”
In February, trustees voted to keep McDougall Public School open for at least one more year to serve its current population.
Both trustees and residents have long been voicing concerns about the capacity of the new facility not being in line with current enrollment.
“The decision to maintain McDougall Public School operating as an elementary school reflects years of community advocacy, responsible governance, and a clear commitment to ensuring that English public students in West Parry Sound receive safe, equitable, and high-quality learning environments,” stated St. Pierre.
To view the full letter Minister Calandra sent the Near North Board, click here.
