Considering elementary and secondary school students are, for the first time ever, beginning a new school year wearing masks and told to stay at least six feet apart from one another, very little was discussed regarding the strange, new world of COVID-19 at Wednesday’s Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (H-SCDSB) meeting.
It was the first board meeting of the 2020-2021 school year, but only a few brief references were made to a 60-page HSCDSB Plan for Reopening Schools, contained within the board’s agenda packet and presented to administrators and trustees gathered for Wednesday’s meeting.
“This plan for reopening of schools continues to grow and to change on a regular basis depending on whatever information we do receive from the Ministry of Education or our public health units,” said Rose Burton Spohn, H-SCDSB director of education.
“What you will see are various appendices that have since been added to that... our board’s staggered re-entry into school, employee self assessment tool, an eye protection, disinfection protocol (among others).”
H-SCDSB student trustees from St. Mary’s College told the board students are, for the most part, obeying mask-wearing rules and keeping within their own cohorts.
Burton Spohn spoke at greater length about developments regarding Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Elementary Schools in Elliot Lake.
The board voted to give up its plan to consolidate the two schools and begin as soon as possible to make plans to repair and upgrade both schools.
In May 2018, the board agreed in principle to consolidating both schools based on the fact Our Lady of Fatima was well under capacity with 116 students, Our Lady of Lourdes almost at capacity with 218 students. Since then, enrollment at both schools has shifted for the better, both schools now housing approximately 175 students.
Both schools, a report noted, will need to have their kindergarten areas updated.
An estimated $5 million investment over a five-year period will likely be needed to upgrade parking lots at both schools, play areas, bus bays, and parent drop-off areas.
Money will also be needed to make upgrades to Our Lady of Lourdes lighting, heating, and ventilation systems.
With enrollment at the two schools now approximately equal at 175, the board no longer is concerned about triple grading at Our Lady of Fatima or overcrowding at Our Lady of Lourdes.
“Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. The Lord works in mysterious ways,” Burton Spohn said.
Most of Wednesday’s lengthy meeting was devoted to the introduction of new educators, a new student trustee and a look at the board’s 2020 summer learning program, as reported on previously by SooToday.
