Major changes could be coming to Tecumseh public schools by the end of the school year, including the possible closure of one or two schools.
The Greater Essex County District School Board’s review committee is recommending a number of closures, in part to level out enrolment.
After months of deliberation and community input Victoria Public School and D.M. Eagle Public School in Tecumseh could end up closing, with the final day of classes at Victoria as early as the end of this school year.
But a number of parents are speaking out against the recommendations.
Parent Felecia Graber says "[Victoria is] a nice small school. The teachers know all the students names. I think just think that something like this is a gem that we shouldn't let go."
But consistently low enrolment numbers at Victoria as well as capacity issues at other schools have prompted the board to recommend changes.
Todd Awender, school board superintendent, says "We have extreme enrolment pressures that are currently existing at Tecumseh Vista [Academy] right now."
The Accomodation Review Committee presented two recommendations to the trustees Tuesday night.
The first recommendation would see Victoria close, with Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 students going to A.V. Graham Public School instead.
Also part of the first recommendation is a boundary change for Tecumseh Vista that would move French immersion students not already at Vista into a dual-track program at Forest Glade Public School.
Awender says "It's a very tough decision to make, we do look at every scenario that is out there."
Many parents spoke out against the boundary changes at Tuesday night's board meeting, with the changes meaning their children would be split between two different schools.
But board officials say with Vista bursting at the seams and six portables already added on to the new school - it may be necessary.
"That's been the norm in the Tecumseh family for a very long time," Awender says.
The second recommendation would include everything from the first as well as possibly closing D.M. Eagle.
But that would only take place if the ministry provides funding to build either a new north shore school, or an addition onto A.V. Graham.
By closing the under-capacity schools Awender says the board will save millions in operating and renewal costs.
"We feel that the efficiencies that could be gained with something such as this and can be gained in other ways in the classroom with the students."
Trustees have until November 19th to go over both recommendations and are expected to come back to the board with a final decision.
