When it comes to the number of students in Bradford, the numbers are adding up faster than new schools can keep pace.
The was the message Ward 2 Coun. Jonathan Scott included in his motion to support the development of additional schools in town, passed by council earlier this week.
“We desperately need these new schools. We’re continuing to grow. We have far too many children and teenagers learning in portables. That’s not good for the learning environment,” he said.
Because “schools are significantly over capacity and the need for new school buildings is becoming particularly acute,” the motion specifically asked council to endorse the need for a new public secondary school and at least two new primary schools — both of which should have significant childcare spaces — and that school boards continue working with town staff to find suitable sites for the schools.
Additionally, the motion asks that the mayor write to the Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy, the Minister of Education Stephen Lecce, and York—Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney ahead of the provincial budget to convey the need for increased local education funding to deliver these investments.
Ward 4 Coun. Joseph Giordano supported the motion noting that his daughter is going into high school next year, and yet this current school year is the first time she’s had home room inside the main building, not a portable.
“When we look at our schools, we’re one of the largest growth communities in Canada and our schools have not met the growth that we’ve had, never mind the projected growth,” he said. “The school’s are so overcrowded. The classrooms are so tight.”
In the Simcoe County District School Board’s (SCDSB) 2023-24 Accommodation Plan, included as part of their Feb. 1 business and facilities standing committee meeting, the board acknowledged it has “experienced unprecedented residential and associated enrolment growth,” which is forecast “to continue for the foreseeable future,” with accommodation pressures “becoming critical in nature.”
By fall of this year, primary schools were expected to exceed 110 per cent capacity and secondary schools were expected to reach 103 per cent, with continued increases.
“When they build the school, when they finally get there, it just seems the school is never big enough,” Ward 7 Coun. Peter Dykie said in expressing his support for the motion.
One of Bradford’s newest primary schools, Harvest Hills, opened in September of 2022 and already has seven portables, while Bradford District High School currently has nine.
Mayor James Leduc was also vocally supportive.
“I think it’s a great motion. It is a very big need in our community,” he said.
All members of council present voted in favour of the motion. Ward 5 Coun. Peter Ferragine was absent from the meeting.
In his motion, Scott noted that Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board’s 2021 capital plan had a new primary school in Bradford as its second-highest priority and an addition to Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Bradford as its seventh-highest priority, as well as that SCDSB’s 2022-23 capital plan listed a new Bradford high school in its top three priorities, and also called for a new public elementary school in Bradford.
“The more we can do to add our voices to the school boards’ advocacy for their capital plans, the better,” Scott said.
That support did not go unnoticed.
“I would like to thank the town for their support and collaboration in these ongoing efforts to obtain new schools. We are in dire need for capital funding investments in Bradford,” Debbie Connors, Simcoe County District School Board trustee said via email.
However, the board’s most recent 2023-24 capital plan doesn’t include any new schools in Bradford.
The SCDSB’s ranked list sent to the province for consideration for 2023-24 capital priority funding is:
- New Angus elementary school (growth accommodation)
- New Barrie SE elementary No. 1 (Dean Ave., growth accommodation)
- New Alcona elementary school (growth accommodation)
- Nantyr Shores Secondary School (growth accommodation addition)
- Warnica Public School (growth accommodation replacement school)
- Emma King Public School (growth accommodation addition)
- New Tottenham elementary school (growth accommodation)
- Ardagh Bluffs Public School (growth accommodation addition)
- Baxter Central Public School (growth accommodation addition)
- New Stayner elementary school (growth accommodation)
- Nottawa Elementary School (growth accommodation addition)
- New Wasaga Beach secondary school (growth accommodation)
- New Barrie SE elementary No. 2 (Hewitt's, growth accommodation)
The removal of Bradford schools from the list could be the result of changes to the provincial requirements for boards to provide a summary of key project milestones and detailed on-site identification, design plans, project timelines and cost estimates. Priority will be given to projects that are considered shovel-ready.
As a result, this year’s list from the SCDSB was partially determined by whether the board has already acquired land for the projects, and has a preliminary design completed.
When asked what efforts is the Ministry of Education is taking to alleviate the crowding and growth pressures on the primary and secondary schools in Bradford, Isha Chaudhuri, senior communications advisor and press secretary for Lecce’s office, explained the ministry is currently reviewing all business cases for capital priorities submitted to the ministry and anticipates an announcement in Winter 2024.
“Our government is determined to build new schools faster to accommodate growing communities like Bradford, which is why we have introduced legislation such as Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023. Since 2018, we invested $62.1 million for three net new schools across the community. This will create 1,747 student spaces and 88 child care spaces for families in Bradford-West Gwillimbury. We will continue to invest in new schools while we go back to basics in Ontario classrooms,” Chaudhuri said.
-- With files from Jessica Owen
