Parents in Parry Sound are voicing their concerns over the uncertainty surrounding the new K-12 super school, and are demanding answers.
Last week, the Near North District School Board announced that they are currently unable to confirm when the new school will be ready to welcome students and that contingency plans are being developed.
Parent Shane Reynolds says he, and others in the community, want immediate transparency from the Board.
“I think it is only fair that we have full transparency of what is going on with the school. We have sat back, listened and waited. We have heard a lot of excuses, but we haven’t heard a lot of formal plans moving forward,” he said, addressing Parry Sound council at a meeting Aug. 12.
Reynolds says letters have been sent to the Board, the Ministry of Education and other local officials and a petition is circulation. It’s asking for:
- a full explanation on the cause of the delay
- the release of a realistic, updated completion and opening timeline
- a detailed contingency plan for student accommodation, including transportation, safety, classroom resources and staffing
- a commitment to providing regular public updates until the school is completed and operational
- host an urgent public meeting in Parry Sound within two weeks to address concerns directly
Board Chair Ashley St. Pierre responded to Reynolds, and other parents that have formed the group ‘Parents for Parry Sound,’ in a letter on Aug. 12.
The letter stated that the Board is working with multiple partners to ensure all students start school in a safe and welcoming environment on Sept. 2, and that information would be communicated to families “as soon as practicable.”
“Contingency planning is multi-faceted,” stated St. Pierre in the letter. “Staff are simultaneously working with the general contractor and the Town of Parry Sound to complete the project, while also working with union partners, the transportation consortium and the Ministry of Education to ensure that appropriate and safe learning spaces and transportation are ready for students on the first day of school.”
The letter concludes by saying that as soon as decisions are finalized, information will be communicated with the public.
