The Near North District School Board has approved it’s Capital Plan.

The document looks at enrolment growth and decline and gives background information on right-sizing the board.

Chair David Thompson says challenges include the fact 18 of their 40 schools are 46 to 60 years old and they have $150-million in repairs that need to be done.

With declining enrolment they have 5,908 surplus spaces.   That leaves the utilization rate at 64.2%

“Certainly the changing of funding for education is a huge factor and it’s driving all this. But, on a positive side it comes down to programming. I think we need to look at consolidation to improve programming for our students.” Thompson said.

Recommended next steps within the plan include a few accommodation reviews for under-utilized elementary schools in North Bay and another one for secondary schools in the city.

The document says declining enrolment at Widdifield and West Ferris is a concern.

Both those schools, along with Chippewa are in “poor condition and require significant renewal.” The recommendations include developing a business case for the consolidation of the current three schools to a new build of one school.

In Mattawa, the plan recommends an accommodation review and development of a business case for the consolidation of the two current schools to build one new JK to grade 12 school.

In Almaguin, the plan recommends an accommodation review of both elementary and secondary with the view of consolidating with a new addition to accommodate JK to grade 12.

Exploring partnerships were also recommended for all five areas of the board, including Sturgeon Falls and Parry Sound.

With next steps, Thompson says they will be setting up meetings and striking Accommodation Review Committees to have a robust discussion with their stakeholders, based on the data.

“These are things we’ve learned from our previous mistakes and ARCs. We’ve done a lot of work on the data and we want to hear back from our stakeholders.” He said, pointing out it’s about hearing what they suggest the board should do.

By the numbers:
Total enrolment for the 2015-2016 academic year was 10,204 students (6,675 elementary and 3,529 secondary students)
The Board has 5,908 surplus spaces and the utilization rate is 64.2% based on 2015-16 enrolment.

CLICK HERE for a link to the 2016-17 Near North District School Board Capital Plan