Final Fergus boundary report due in January
The second report of the James McQueen PS Boundary Review has been posted to the Upper Grand District School Board website at www.ugdsb.on.ca/jmbr.
The document was presented to the Business Operations Committee on Dec. 10, and at a Public Information Session on Dec.12.
The boundary review launched in September is in response to projected enrolment pressures at James McQueen PS, presently a dual-track school offering Grades JK-6 Regular Track (RT) and Grades JK-4 French Immersion (FI).
A goal of the review is to establish viable boundaries or grade structures for three Fergus schools – James McQueen PS, J.D. Hogarth PS and John Black PS.
The board expects a spike in enrolment when Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) is introduced to James McQueen PS and J.D. Hogarth PS in September 2014.
The 2014-2015 school year is the final stage in a 5-year implementation plan for FDK.
The second boundary review report presents “Scenario 1” as the solution preferred by staff.
This scenario proposes FI boundary changes in Centre Wellington and a new primary FI program at John Black PS.
It also recommends a move of James McQueen PS Grade 6 RT students to J.D. Hogarth PS.
The grade structures under Scenario 1 look like this:
- James McQueen PS – JK-5 RT, JK-3 FI for residents generally west of Highway 6 and including Victoria Terrace RT attendance area;
- J.D. Hogarth PS – JK-8 RT, 4-8 FI; and
- John Black PS – JK-8 RT, JK-3 FI for residents generally east of Highway 6.
Staff recommend that the new primary FI program at John Black PS begin JK-1 in September 2014, and grow by one grade per year until it is a JK-3 program in 2016.
In all the staff boundary review committee studied 10 different scenario options before arriving at a consensus that Scenario 1 does the best job of meeting the needs of students, while addressing the issues created by enrolment growth.
The final report of the boundary review, Report #3, will be distributed online on Jan. 10, in advance of a presentation to trustees on Jan. 14, with a final decision coming Jan. 28.
The board is welcoming public input as the boundary review committee works towards making final recommendations in January.
The web page at www.ugdsb.on.ca/jmbr includes an online feedback form that will be available until Dec. 20.
