Trustees make decision regarding accommodation in Sudbury West

Rainbow District School Board trustees made a decision regarding the accommodation of students in Sudbury West area schools, approving the final recommendations presented by the Board’s Administrative Council on February 19th, 2008. The Sudbury West area includes Copper Cliff Public School, George Vanier Public School, Jessie Hamilton Public School, R.H. Murray Public School and Lively District Secondary School.

“The decision brings to a close a year-long accommodation review,” said Board Chair Judy Hunda. “On behalf of the Board and its Administrative Council, I would like to thank the Accommodation Review Committee for Sudbury West and the public for their engagement in this important process.”

Rainbow District School Board trustees approved the following motions:

That Lively District Secondary School remain open.

That R.H. Murray Public School, JK to Grade 8, remain open.

That Grades 7 and 8 students from Jessie Hamilton Public School and George Vanier Public School be transferred to Lively District Secondary School effective September 2008.

That George Vanier Public School and Jessie Hamilton Public School be consolidated into a new JK to Grade 6 green school offering English and French Immersion programs (dual track).

That Copper Cliff Public School remain open and continue to be a feeder school for Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School and Lockerby Composite School.

That non-student use be considered for Lively District Secondary School.

That a French Immersion program be offered at Lively District Secondary School providing there is a cohort of 25 students in the academic program in Grade 9.

In making its final recommendations to the Board, Administrative Council considered student learning as the first and foremost priority.

“The mandate was to maximize student learning within the resources available to the Board in keeping with two guiding principles – to ensure that all students continue to have access to the best programming possible in quality school facilities and to reduce surplus space,” said Director of Education Jean Hanson.

The Administrative Council’s final report on the accommodation of students in Sudbury West is available online at rainbowschools.ca. Click on “accommodation” under “highlights”.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.