April 23, 2013

Trustees Approve New School Build in Lincoln Area  

Trustees of the District School Board of Niagara are creating the conditions for enhanced student success in the East and South Lincoln area. At their regular meeting on April 23, Trustees voted to initiate a new school build for students living within the Vineland, Campden, Jordan and Maple Grove boundaries.

The new school will be built on the current Vineland Public School site and is expected to open in September, 2015. The yet-to-be-named school will have enough space to accommodate over 425 students. Beginning in September, 2013, students at Campden Jordan and Maple Grove will join their fellow students at the current Vineland Public School until the new school is ready.

“In this time of declining enrolment, we are especially pleased to have the opportunity to build a new school for the communities of East and South Lincoln,” said Kevin Maves, Chair of the Board. “The new school will be bright, spacious and provide students with enhanced educational opportunities.”

At the meeting, Trustees also voted to provide students moving to Grades 7 and 8 at Jordan Public School the option of attending Woodland Public School. Transportation will be provided to any of the 22 eligible students who wish to attend Woodland.

By initiating the Accommodation Review in 2012, Trustees committed themselves to examining solutions to declining enrolment and aging facilities. At the DSBN, elementary enrolment has fallen by nearly 7,000 students since 2001. Consolidating the populations of the four school buildings will result in a reduction of nearly 300 surplus student spaces. A new school will also provide students with a modern facility to learn. Both Campden and Vineland Public Schools were built in the late 1800’s, while Maple Grove and Jordan were built in the 1940’s.

Bringing students from the four schools under one roof will have many benefits for students, including the elimination of triple split grade classes and a reduction in the number of split grades. Schools with larger populations are also able to offer students more opportunities to learn outside the context of the regular classroom through extracurricular clubs, sports and other activities.

Now that Trustees have made their decision, the DSBN will establish a transition plan that will focus on supporting students. This will include a transition team made up of students, parents, staff members and school administrators. The team will identify the needs of students and establish strategies to support their success in their new locations.

“I would like to commend staff for conducting a thorough review of a very complex and sensitive issue,” said Warren Hoshizaki, Director of Education.