Sir James Dunn Amalgamation Meeting Tonight

Mar 1, 2017 @ 09:13

In 2003 the Algoma District School Board’s (ADSB) assessed all 63 schools and facilities. That data was entered into a School Facilities Information System (SFIS) database in 2005, and a capital plan was developed and released in late 2006. That capital plan is revised yearly.

On June 14, 2016, at its regular Board meeting, the Board approved the placement of Sir James Dunn Public School on ‘Under Review Status’. The review focussed on the possibility of school closure, and accommodating the JK-8 program and students currently housed at Sir James Dunn Public School as a Jk-12 School on the Michipicoten High School site.

The major factor behind the consideration of this amalgamation is the condition of the SJD building. The original Sir James Dunn School was built in 1920 but completely destroyed by fire in late 1973. The current building was built in 1975, a two-storey building without a basement. Over the next five years, Sir James Dunn would require $4,931,986 worth of renovations and upgrades. However, the entire building could be replaced for $11,441,300.

The other major factor is the declining enrollment occurring in both schools.

The Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) will investigate the possibility of students at MHS from grades JK – 12 for the 2018-19 school year. The Board notes that there will be a Capital investment required to create spaces within the school conducive to JK-8 classrooms.

Tonight at 6:30 p.m. there will be a meeting in the Sir James Dunn Public School Library. Light refreshments will be served and representatives from the School Board will be present.