'I'm angry and I'm disappointed': 6 Ottawa schools to close

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board made the final decision Wednesday night toshutter six west-end schools, and the same fate is expected for RideauHigh School in a vote next week.

Discussions hadgone onfor months as board trustees grappled with the province's decision to cutfunding for under-populated schools.

By September, Greenbankand D. AubreyMoodiemiddle schools will close as the board creates Grade 7 to 12 high schools.

Century, Leslie Park and Grant Alternative schools will also be shuttered by September, and J.H.Putmanwill close.

'This is different for us'

Debates about closing schools aren't new, butthe board's chief financial officer, Mike Carson, said it's been about 18 years since board officials have had to make such sweeping facility decisions.

"Back in the days of the Harris government, school boards were under pressure to deal with access space in a very short time frame," Carson said. "At that timewe had recommended the closure of six or seven schools, but in fact, I think [there were] only twoor threewhere the closure actually proceeded. So this is different for us."

Due to the new provincial funding rules, other school boards are making similar decisions. For instance, eastern Ontario's Upper Canada DistrictSchool Board is considering the closure of 12 schools.

Only a small group of parents came out for the Ottawa board's final decision on the closure of six west-end schools.

Final decision on RideauHigh School next week

CenturyparentGemma Nicholson, who hadcome to several meetings,made one lastplea to keep her school community togetherbut saidshe knew minds were already made up.

"So right now I'm angry and I'm disappointed and I'm sad," she said.

School board staff alsorecommendtheclosureofRideauHigh School and sending its 400 students toGloucester. Both schools are currently at 40 per cent capacity. Thatfinal decision is expectedMarch 7.

Board chairShirley Seward said no one wants to close schools, but the reality is that some are too empty and others are overcrowded, anda re-balancing is needed. The board expects to save millions of dollars by closing the schools.

Closures at a glance

• September 2017: D. Aubrey Moodie Intermediate School (students to attend Bell High School).
• September 2017:Greenbank Middle School (students to attend Sir Robert Borden High School, D. Roy Kennedy Public School and Bell High School).
• September 2017:Leslie Park Public School(students toattend BriargreenPublic School and WoodroffeAvenuePublic School).
• September 2017:Grant Alternative School(students toattend Regina Alternative School).
• September 2017:Century Public School (students to attend Carleton Heights Public School).
• September 2018: J.H.PutmanPublic School students will begin moving (students to attendWoodroffe Avenue Public School,Agincourt Road Public School,Pinecrest Public School,D. Roy Kennedy Public School andSir Robert Borden High School).

Some other changes

• September 2017:Regina Street Public School will becomea JK to 6alternative program school.
• September 2017:Bells Corners, Lakeview and Bayshore schools will become JK to 6 schools.
• September 2017:Bell, Sir Robert Borden andMerivalehigh schools willbecome Grade 7 to 12 schools.
• September 2017:Severn Avenue Public School willbecome a JK to Grade 6school for immersion students.
• September 2018:Woodroffe Avenue Public School will become a JK to Grade 8 school.