Parent representatives from northern Wellington County asked Upper Grand District School Board trustees to oppose a French immersion program cap at the April 26 meeting.
The French immersion program is currently under review and one of the biggest concerns for the parents is a potential enrolment cap that would limit the JK intake each year.
Robin Ross and Korb Whale, who have children attending the French immersion program at Palmerston Public School, suggested the board consider a more flexible approach.
“If we think of the school board as one large area, we have enough room for all students and a full French immersion program for those who want it,” Whale said.
“As the overall numbers decline, there is room to move the students around to meet the needs as they are presented.”
Whale suggested the board cap individual schools in both English and French, but allow movement within the board.
Ross said there could be lotteries to get into high-demand schools but there would be the opportunity to get into the program in a nearby school.
Trustee Susan Moziar asked how important the French program is to the community.
“In the last week … the mayor (of Mapleton Township) … just told me that there are three business owners in our town who are specifically living in Drayton because of the French immersion,” Whale said.
He said the families will leave if their kids can’t get into the French immersion program.
Ross said the Town of Minto’s economic development officer told him that many local businesses use the French immersion program as an attraction to encourage people to move to the town.
