Public meeting at Tecumseh Public School.  February 23, 2017. (Photo by Paul Pedro)Public meeting at Tecumseh Public School. February 23, 2017. (Photo by Paul Pedro)
Chatham

Chatham School Closure Could Be Delayed

The possible closure of John N. Given Public School in Chatham could be delayed according to the Lambton Kent District School Board.

Superintendent Gary Girardi says some parents want the possible construction upgrades at Tecumseh Public School to be done before John Given students move-in.

Girardi says a one year delay is being tossed around, if trustees approve the closure, adding "instead of moving students around to accommodate construction, why not wait a year".

The plan is to merge the elementary school with Tecumseh Public School and move its Grade 7 and 8 French Immersion Program to McNaughton Avenue Public School.

Trustees make a final decision May 9th.

Girardi says Tecumseh Public School has plenty of space to accommodate John Given students during construction, citing "there's pros and cons to that, one you move students together and get things moving, which is not a bad thing".

"We work with the architect and construction crew and they make a plan to make sure things go well," says Girardi adding that student and staff safety is paramount if they have to be shuffled around to accommodate construction.

 

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