By Valencia Grant
The Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board has decided that moving St. Anthony’s elementary school from Booth Street would pose a safety risk for its 229 students.
The board voted unanimously last week against the move. The decision echoes a staff report that argues against relocating the students to the McNabb public school building on Percy Street.
The report was presented by Fred Chrystal, the board’s superintendent of planning and facilities, and Ken Kary, manager of planning.
Even though the cost of renovations for the 95-year-old St. Anthony’s building would be about $1 million, Chrystal and Kary determined it would not be in the students’ interest to move.
The report cites the risk of not being able to install a fence around the McNabb playground since the lease limits what can be placed on the property, as well as the need for increased student supervision during bus drop-offs, given the openness of the parking lot.
Angelo Filoso, chairman of the Neighbourhood Alert Association, had already warned the board that if the move went ahead, it should follow the example of business owners on Gladstone Avenue who have hired private security to patrol the area.
The area close to the McNabb school grounds has been associated with prostitution and drug-related problems.
Another trade-off outlined in the report is the fact that St. Anthony’s popular after-school programs would probably encounter scheduling conflicts with other activities in the adjacent McNabb Community Centre after 6:30 p.m., as well as during the summer, weekends and holidays.
Ashley Adrias, a Grade 4 student, says she’s glad the future of the after-school programs is secure.
“On Monday, I go to arts and craft. On Tuesday, I go to reading. On Wednesday, I go to computer class. On Thursday, I go to cooking, and on Friday, I go to sports,” says the nine-year-old, whose mother is on the school council.
Adrias, who has visited the McNabb location, says she’s especially happy she won’t have to move.
She says she doesn’t feel the Percy Street location provides a safe environment for the elementary school students.
“I like the school but it’s open to all poeple and anybody can come in when the kids are there and when we have school. She describes the enclosed and nurturing environment that exists on Booth Street.
“There are teachers that have different places to take care of. Some teachers take care of the other gates so that children don’t go outside.”
John Dorner, St. Anthony’s principal, says parents are relieved.
They were worried since the board announced in February it was considering the move. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board put the McNabb building up for disposal in December.
Carl André, school council chair, says the decision shows the Catholic board values the public’s feelings on the matter.
“It’s really a nice reflection on the fact that the trustees, the superintendents and senior administration really listened, and that they really do have an ear to the community.”