Ontario School Construction Delays Spark Protests and Review

Students in Parry Sound, Ontario, are facing a challenging academic year as the opening of a new “super school” has been delayed, forcing high school students to transition to remote learning. Originally scheduled to open on September 2, 2025, the school was intended to accommodate students from junior kindergarten through Grade 12. However, construction setbacks have left parents and students frustrated and questioning the decisions made by the Near North District School Board.

Rob Hammond, whose daughter is autistic, expressed his discontent with the situation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she attended in-person classes, but now, as a Grade 12 student, she is relegated to online learning. Hammond noted that the lack of communication from the school board has heightened his daughter’s anxiety. He described her eagerness to return to school, saying, “She wants to be in school; she’s keen to go to school.”

The concept of the new school has been in the works for over a decade, with plans to merge two elementary schools, McDougall Public School and Nobel Public School, alongside a community centre. Initially, the school board assured residents that the new facility would be separate from the existing high school. Yet, in a significant change of plans, trustees decided to incorporate the high school, resulting in students from three schools sharing a single campus.

Construction commenced in 2023, but last month, the board announced that the new building would not be ready for the academic year. In a statement released on August 26, the board confirmed that high school students would be required to learn remotely while younger students would continue at McDougall or Nobel until the new facility opens. The board acknowledged the impact of this delay, emphasizing its commitment to support students during the transition.

In response to the delays, Paul Calandra, Ontario’s Education Minister, has initiated a “full governance review” of the school board, requesting a report within 30 days. In a letter to parents dated August 29, Calandra expressed his frustration, stating, “This delay is unacceptable. It highlights the weakness of the existing school board governance structure.”

Parents have voiced concerns over the effectiveness of remote learning, especially for high school students. Christie-Lynn Constable, a mother of two high school students, remarked on the difficulties of online education, saying, “It’s harder for a lot of students to stay engaged.” Her daughter, who is in Grade 12, had hoped to secure university scholarships through involvement in sports but fears that the school closure might hinder those opportunities.

The demolition of the old high school began in July, raising questions among parents about the timing of such actions without assurances that the new school would be completed on schedule. Constable noted, “We’re left kind of shaking our heads as to why did you start tearing down the school if we didn’t know that the new school was for sure going to be ready for students?”

Rural students face additional challenges, including unreliable internet access and inadequate equipment for effective remote learning. In light of these issues, local municipalities have opened facilities equipped with reliable Wi-Fi to assist students in need.

The community has responded with protests against what they perceive as mismanagement by the school board. Two rallies have taken place recently, with more than a dozen students participating in a demonstration outside the new school building. One student held a sign stating, “Clicking isn’t learning,” which encapsulated the sentiments of many frustrated families.

One of the rally organizers, Amy Black, emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “Our main concern at the moment is we have no idea how long online learning is going to be.” She described her own experience with remote learning during the pandemic as “brutal,” and noted that the ongoing situation has affected the entire community, even those with younger children.

Hammond, who also serves as president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario Near North Teachers’ Local, highlighted the challenges teachers face as well, noting that they do not have access to the new building to prepare for the school year. Concerns remain about whether the new facility will adequately accommodate all students, particularly regarding access to gym facilities and dedicated classrooms for music and language instruction, which are considered crucial to a well-rounded education.

As the situation unfolds, parents and students continue to seek clarity and accountability from the Near North District School Board. The community remains hopeful for a resolution that will allow students to return to in-person learning as soon as possible.