School board looks for new Mulmur school site
Representatives from Upper Grand District School Board said they are looking to build a new school in Mulmur to relieve enrolment pressures at Primrose Elementary School but with a minimum timeline of three to five years, a boundary review is being undertaken which could see some students relocated to a school in Shelburne.
The school board’s manager of planning, Ruchika Angrish, said the boundary review is seen as an interim solution until the new school is built.
She said based on population projections from planned development the school board is looking for two new school sites, one in Mulmur and one in Shelburne. She admitted, once a new school is established in Mulmur, a second boundary review would be required.
The review began last month and trustees will make a final decision on the process on Feb. 13, 2024.
Primrose Elementary School has a capacity of 377 but has a current enrolment of 584.
Parents of Primrose students have been making delegations to trustees asking them to delay the vote on the boundary review process to consider other options, gather accurate up-to-date development data, and to consult with the municipalities. They are concerned that enrolment and growth pressures on the school in Shelburne have not been properly considered and the changes do not offer a long-term solution to the population growth in the area.
They are concerned that some students would have to change schools twice during their elementary school years and that some students who are already on the bus for more than an hour could experience longer travel times.
Mayor Janet Horner said the current state is unsustainable.
“The Primrose school has been over capacity for a number of years and we’ve known that as you’ve gone through the whole water fiasco,” said Horner referring to a recent need to truck in drinking water and eventual well replacement. “We understand there is a process and we know too that this area is not the only area in your jurisdiction that is experiencing tremendous growth but I guess we hope that you don’t forget about us here in north of your territory because it just feels like nothing has been done to address some of our pressing issues.”
“The provincial government is really pushing to get homes built but at the same time they’re not pushing with the same energy to put money into building schools,” said Councillor Patty Clarke.
On Wednesday, Mulmur council passed a motion requesting Upper Grand District School Board initiate a process of selecting a future school site to prepare for future growth and prevent further capacity issues at Primrose Elementary School immediately.
New requirements from the provincial government now require that school boards acquire a site or are in the process of acquiring land before a project is included in a capital priorities list. Angrish said land acquisition is a confidential process.
