Seven Catholic elementary schools in Chatham could see some significant changes in the next few years.
Trustees for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board have approved the motion to start a Pupil Accommodation Review for the seven schools. During Tuesday night's board meeting a report had been given, to give further background on what this review entails.
In the report there are three scenarios listed with one being the preferred option.
Option A: Closing six of the elementary schools and building two new English program schools.
One of the new buildings would be located in North Chatham where students from Our Lady Fatima, St. Agnes', and St. Vincent's would be directed to.
The second new building would be in South Chatham where students from Georges P. Vanier, Joseph's, and St. Ursula's would be directed to.
Our Lady Fatima would stay in place and receive students from Monsignor Uyen.
The new schools in North and South Chatham would be expected to open by September 2019.
Option B: Suggests the closure of five school, with the construction of two new English program schools.
Option C: Suggests the closure of four schools and the construction of one new English program school.
Associate Director of Education Jim McKenzie says the three scenarios listed above aren't set in stone.
"The Pupil Accommodation Committee actually has the ability to introduce other scenarios, and look to refining and maybe adjusting some of the options we put forward," says McKenzie.
He says any change to the options would still have to follow the guidelines and regulations with regards to the board's policy and procedures.
The potential consolidation of the schools has been a point of discussion for a few months. McKenzie says that's in large part to the under-enrollment and upkeep challenges the schools face.
McKenzie says because this is such a drastic change, he's unsure how the community will react.
"A lot of times you do find that there is that attachment to their local school community and sometimes it takes a little bit to get past that and see the bigger picture ," he says, adding the bigger picture involves new, updated facilities.
Now that the review has been approved, a Pupil Accommodation Review Committee (PARC) must be assembled.
PARC will be made up of three representatives from each of the seven schools. Those representatives will be able to vote on future decisions.
Members of PARC have yet to be established but their first meeting will be on October 4. The first public meeting will be held on November 9. Details on an exact time and location have yet to be determined.