The province has rejected the Hamilton public school board’s funding request for a JK-8 school that was to be the heart of a proposed community hub on the Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School property.
Board chair Todd White said the Ministry of Education ultimately turned down the redevelopment plan because it leaves too many surplus pupil spaces in the downtown area, but at least indicates a willingness to continue discussions.
The city and four other potential partners expressed formal interest in providing housing and a range of services at the hub, whose new school was to replace Hess Street and Strathcona schools.
White said the board would have to also close Bennetto school to cut more surplus student spaces, but has no interest in doing so.
As a result, Hess and Strathcona will remain open, he said.
“At the end of the day we’re left with few options but to pursue the hub and funding for a new Hess and Strathcona school,” White said. “It just isn’t in the cards for 2018, unfortunately.”
Trustees hatched the hub plan following last year’s accommodation review of nine elementary schools in lower west Hamilton, spurning a staff recommendation to rebuild Hess and close Strathcona.
They were seeking about $16 million for the hub school, which was to include an assessment centre and alternative education programs currently offered in rented locations elsewhere, as well as a child-care centre operated by the city.
Other potential partners included Hamilton Health Sciences, the Hamilton Community Foundation, Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes Inc. and the YMCA.
Macdonald is slated to close as part of a 2012 accommodation plan that is also shuttering Delta and building a new high school at Scott Park, expected to open in the fall of next year.
White said the board won’t demolish Macdonald or sell any of its 3.2-hectare site until the hub becomes a reality.
“We remain committed. We’re not going to compromise an inch of that property until we receive funding,” he said. “We know that if we jeopardize any portion of that property, the future of an elementary school on that site only weakens.”
The province has rejected the Hamilton public school board’s funding request for a JK-8 school that was to be the heart of a proposed community hub on the Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School property.
Board chair Todd White said the Ministry of Education ultimately turned down the redevelopment plan because it leaves too many surplus pupil spaces in the downtown area, but at least indicates a willingness to continue discussions.
The city and four other potential partners expressed formal interest in providing housing and a range of services at the hub, whose new school was to replace Hess Street and Strathcona schools.
White said the board would have to also close Bennetto school to cut more surplus student spaces, but has no interest in doing so.
As a result, Hess and Strathcona will remain open, he said.
“At the end of the day we’re left with few options but to pursue the hub and funding for a new Hess and Strathcona school,” White said. “It just isn’t in the cards for 2018, unfortunately.”
Trustees hatched the hub plan following last year’s accommodation review of nine elementary schools in lower west Hamilton, spurning a staff recommendation to rebuild Hess and close Strathcona.
They were seeking about $16 million for the hub school, which was to include an assessment centre and alternative education programs currently offered in rented locations elsewhere, as well as a child-care centre operated by the city.
Other potential partners included Hamilton Health Sciences, the Hamilton Community Foundation, Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes Inc. and the YMCA.
Macdonald is slated to close as part of a 2012 accommodation plan that is also shuttering Delta and building a new high school at Scott Park, expected to open in the fall of next year.
White said the board won’t demolish Macdonald or sell any of its 3.2-hectare site until the hub becomes a reality.
“We remain committed. We’re not going to compromise an inch of that property until we receive funding,” he said. “We know that if we jeopardize any portion of that property, the future of an elementary school on that site only weakens.”
The province has rejected the Hamilton public school board’s funding request for a JK-8 school that was to be the heart of a proposed community hub on the Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School property.
Board chair Todd White said the Ministry of Education ultimately turned down the redevelopment plan because it leaves too many surplus pupil spaces in the downtown area, but at least indicates a willingness to continue discussions.
The city and four other potential partners expressed formal interest in providing housing and a range of services at the hub, whose new school was to replace Hess Street and Strathcona schools.
White said the board would have to also close Bennetto school to cut more surplus student spaces, but has no interest in doing so.
As a result, Hess and Strathcona will remain open, he said.
“At the end of the day we’re left with few options but to pursue the hub and funding for a new Hess and Strathcona school,” White said. “It just isn’t in the cards for 2018, unfortunately.”
Trustees hatched the hub plan following last year’s accommodation review of nine elementary schools in lower west Hamilton, spurning a staff recommendation to rebuild Hess and close Strathcona.
They were seeking about $16 million for the hub school, which was to include an assessment centre and alternative education programs currently offered in rented locations elsewhere, as well as a child-care centre operated by the city.
Other potential partners included Hamilton Health Sciences, the Hamilton Community Foundation, Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes Inc. and the YMCA.
Macdonald is slated to close as part of a 2012 accommodation plan that is also shuttering Delta and building a new high school at Scott Park, expected to open in the fall of next year.
White said the board won’t demolish Macdonald or sell any of its 3.2-hectare site until the hub becomes a reality.
“We remain committed. We’re not going to compromise an inch of that property until we receive funding,” he said. “We know that if we jeopardize any portion of that property, the future of an elementary school on that site only weakens.”