www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, January 8, 2010 · 4 Students may find temporary home in closed schools Continued from page 1 He said the second scenario is more likely, with an early July start and a late fall completion. "You can't finish an addition in two months," Cullen said. "What we don't know at this time is whether we will be able to do the spring start and September finish, or the July start and December finish. To be cautious, we're letting people know we're likely going to do the July to December variation at this point in time." The addition to the school will increase its capacity of 302 to 550, as it will welcome students in Grades JK-8. The projected enrolment for Sept. 2010 is expected to be 621. Enrolment is expected to drop to about 550 by 2015. "What we don't know at this time is whether we will be able to do the spring start and September finish, or the July start and December finish. To be cautious, we're letting people know we're likely going to do the July to December variation at this point." Gerry Cullen, superintendent of facility services, Halton District School Board 2010 SPRING & EARLY SUMMER TOUR PLANNER GREAT TRIPS AT PRICES YOU CAN AFFORD FRONT LINE VACATIONS MARCH IS CUSTOMER APPRECIATION MONTH SOARING EAGLE 4 days Feb 28th -Mar 3rd $180 Casino bonus-shopping SOARING EAGLE 4 days 15th 18th $180 Casino bonus-St. Pat's Show OTTAWA/HULL HILTON 3 days 21st 23rd $70 Casino bonus-sightseeing ATLANTIC CITY TRUMP PLAZA 4 days 28th 31st $60 Casino bonus-shopping SOARING EAGLE 4 days 5th 8th $180 Casino bonusshopping NEW YORK CITY 4 days 11th 14th Sightseeing-shopping-boat cruise SOARING EAGLE 4 days 26th 29th $180 Casino bonusshopping $ $ $ $ Miller said he will know more about the status of the project by the spring. He said contingency plans will be made on where to house a portion of the students in the likely event that the addition at Maple Grove is not ready. The HDSB will be releasing the official plan regarding which schools elementary students in southeast Oakville will be going to on April 1. "The part we don't know Get inspired by yet is what will be ready and what won't, so I can't say how we'll develop the contingency at Maple Grove yet," Miller said. "I will have a better idea in a couple of weeks because we have options open to us because we can keep some kids at Chisholm, we can keep some kids at Linbrook and some kids at EJ James." When asked if the overflow of students could be placed in portables on site at Maple Grove, Miller said it is a possibility, but that they would more likely be placed in the aforementioned local schools until construction is complete. Miller has been sending out newsletters via e-mail to staff and parents providing updates on the changes happening in that part of Oakville. He said he has been telling parents since last summer that the school board is doing its best to have all of the schools ready. 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Area schools are struggling with low enrolment numbers, resulting in the board closing three elementary schools -- Linbrook, Chisholm and Brantwood -- at the end of June 2010 and reshuffling students to a new school in Clearview and three remaining schools south of Cornwall Road, including Maple Grove, EJ James and New Central. EJ James, offering French immersion for Grades 1-8, will be ready for the fall as it has no additions required. Miller is working with school administration and parents to make plans to spruce up the school, with such improvements as fresh paint, an updated electrical system, landscaping and reconfigured classrooms. A budget for the renewal is currently being established. New Central will offer English programming for Grades JK-6. A $1.3 million addition featuring two classrooms and two JK/SK classrooms is being added to that school to accommodate additional pupils. New Central additional classrooms, located on the east end of the building, have the same status as Maple Grove's addition, with an architect lined up and preliminary sketches, but no site plan or building permit approvals. However, board staff said the New Central addition will be ready for September 2010. The new $10.8 million Clearview school will educate students in dual-track Grades JK-8. That school is on track to be ready for September 2010. Board staff is also currently working with the local teachers' union, the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario Halton Teacher Local, to determine staffing. This will be completed by the end of March. CUT AND SAVE