The ongoing debate about how to solve overcrowding at Elgin Street Public School finally came to an emotional conclusion Tuesday evening.
The Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) trustees reversed its original decision – to move the junior and senior kindergarten classes – and instead voted to move the English program from Elgin Street Public School to Centennial Public School.
The original decision was reversed because of legality issues, as an elementary school operating without kindergarten classes is illegal under the Ontario Education Act.
The motion passed despite multiple last-minute pleadings by parents and Elgin Street students, asking trustees not to divide the English and French programs.
“It will be breaking up friendships that have been growing for years,” said Donald Champ, an Elgin Street fifth grader.
Upon making the new decision, trustee Erica Braunovan, sponsor of the motion, apologized for initially endorsing the move of kindergarten classes.
“I’m sorry that this has happened…that after all the fighting we are back to where we began,” said Braunovan.
She also acknowledged that the decision to move the English program, while not perfect, is the best solution going forward.
The decision will come into effect September 2016. The temporary move of the English program will be in place until a more permanent decision is made following a comprehensive study of the whole downtown core.
Read the original story here.