OCDSB reconsidering major changes to school boundaries after pushback

Ottawa’s largest school board is looking at its largest restructuring plan in decades, but the proposed changes are sparking backlash from parents.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) is taking another look at its largest elementary restructuring plan in decades following concerns from parents.

An OCDSB spokesperson confirmed to CTV News that it would be taking feedback from upcoming consultations and an online survey and will be looking at any adjustments that can be made.

The elementary program review proposes changes to school boundaries and some specialized programs, which would see thousands of students switching schools.

Alicia Vrieswyk’s eight-year-old daughter Lexi has special needs and is thriving in a specialized classroom designed to support her, but with 39 of these programs on the chopping block, she says she had no choice but to make a tough decision.

“We’ve actually registered Lexi for private school, that’s where her needs are going to be best met,” she said. “It’s a financial strain on our family obviously.”

The OCDSB says the proposed changes aim to make the system more inclusive and keep students within their local communities.

Despite assurances current students in specialized classrooms won’t be affected and extra supports will be added to mainstream classrooms, Vrieswky says there’s too much uncertainty.

“If she has no where to go and she goes into a mainstream, it will be disastrous just the sensory overload and that doesn’t have anything to do with the supports she probably won’t receive,” she said.

Beyond specialized programs, the proposed overhaul also includes changes to school boundaries, French immersion programming and grade structures, meaning some younger students would be required to switch schools earlier than expected, sometimes without their siblings.

“My son Daniel has been here since JK, now we are looking at him changing schools in Grade 3, being there for 4,5 and 6 and then coming back here to Roberta Bondar for grades 7 and 8 and then changing again in high school for Grade 9,” said parent Michelle Larin.

Under the proposal, about 11,000 students would switch schools in September — 5,000 more than in a typical year.

Nine of the 30 affected schools are in Ottawa South, with seven in Alta Vista alone.

After receiving several concerns from parents, local MPP John Fraser says these changes disproportionately impact his community.

“I sent an open letter to the Board of Trustees saying that, given the scale of these changes, they need to take more time to listen and address families’ concerns,” Fraser said.

A protest is planned for Friday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the OCDSB office on Greenbank Road. The board is expected to make a final decision on the restructuring plan next month.

Parents have also sent a letter to Ontario’s Minister of Education, Jill Dunlop, asking the ministry to review the proposed changes and delay next month’s vote.