Programs to expand at local schools
While other communities struggle with the prospect of school closures, parents in Davisville and Leaside can expect to see expanded programming in their kids’ schools.
Board staff has agreed with all the recommendations put forth by the Davisville school review committee on how best to accommodate students at Davisville/Metropolitan Toronto School for the Deaf, Eglinton, Hodgson and Maurice Cody public schools and Spectrum Alternative School without losing services.
“We came out of this with some real goodies,” said school trustee Josh Matlow.
As it stands, staff is recommending that Spectrum Alternative be considered for relocation from Eglinton PS to Davisville PS. If approved by the board, it could happen for Sept. 2011.
Also in the recommendation is ensuring the viability of both English and French programs at Eglinton and Davisville schools, and possibly relocating grade 7-8 extended French from Hodgson to Davisville.
A new playground will be built for Eglinton PS regardless of board approvals, with money coming from fundraising and the school board.
Additional special education programs will also be considered for the schools.
Earlier in the review process — which began in October — there were fears Davisville PS would be recommended for closure and the land sold for redevelopment.
That did not materialize.
During the school board staff’s May 18 presentation, several people asked that the documentation be changed to reflect the fact the closure of Davisville was not the reason for the accommodation review committee.
“Davisville was never seriously considered for closure,” Matlow said.
Despite the angst that accompanied the process, the community gained something for all the schools in the end, the trustee said.
School board trustees will vote June 23 on all accommodation review committee and staff recommendations.