School closings are inevitable, but you can have your opinions heard in a series of meetings scheduled over the next months.
The Near North District School Board’s North Bay Planning Area Accommodation Review is now underway.
The Initial Staff Report is available on Community/Capital Planning, and contains a staff recommendation to consolidate 6 schools: E.T. Carmichael, E.W. Norman, W.J. Fricker, Chippewa, West Ferris, Widdifield and to construct 2 new schools; a JK-6 on the W.J. Fricker site and a school facility designed for grades 7-12 on the Chippewa site.
Consultation is a critical element of the accommodation review process and there are a number of ways for you to get involved.
- Ongoing Acceptance of Feedback – All stakeholders will be invited to share their written thoughts on the proposed changes on an ongoing basis. This forum provides stakeholders with an opportunity to provide input about what is important to them. This is the ideal forum for stakeholders who want to provide input but are not inclined to go to meetings. Members of the public are welcomed to share their written feedback on the Board’s website at www.nearnorthschools.ca under Community/Capital Planning. Written submissions, up to two pages in length, will be received via the Board website, by email or in person until 6:30 p.m. on May 8, 2017. Written submissions will be shared with the Board of Trustees and the public.
- Public Meetings – There will be two public meetings. Each public meeting will include a presentation from Board staff and an opportunity for open interaction. These meetings will require sign-in, but will be open to all who are interested. This forum is ideal for stakeholders who want to expand their understanding and who are seeking answers to detailed questions.
1st PUBLIC MEETING - February 15, 2017 @ 6:30 p.m. at Widdifield Secondary School Members of the public may speak to their written submission as part of the public deputations that will take place during the first public meeting. Anyone interested in presenting will be required to register for the speakers list, and submit their written submission (up to 2 pages in length) to [email protected] by noon on Monday, February 13, 2017. Each person will be given 5 minutes to speak to their written submission.
2nd PUBLIC MEETING – May 8, 2017 @ 6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Secondary School
The second public meeting will be a group-based collaborative sharing of feedback. Pre- registration is not required; however, participants will be required to sign in at the door. More information about this meeting will be posted closer to the meeting date.
SPECIAL MEETING – JUNE 12, 2017 @ 6:30 p.m. at West Ferris Secondary School
Members of the public may speak to their written submission directly to the Board of Trustees.
Anyone interested in presenting will be required to register for the speaker's list and provide their written submission (up to 2 pages in length) to [email protected] by noon on Thursday, June 8. Each person will be given five minutes to speak to their written submission.
