Guelph parents want to weigh in on school board’s boundary review

CTV’s Ashley Bacon speaks with parents who think a Guelph school board needs to do more homework before a new high school opens.

The Upper Grand District School Board is reassessing school boundaries as construction continues at a new high school in the south-end of Guelph.

Some parents aren’t happy with the options currently listed on the school board’s website.

“In every [one of the] seven scenarios, we are now being sent to Centennial [Collegiate Vocational Institute] starting in September 2026, potentially,” explained Jodi Hocken.

Her three elementary-aged children currently go to Taylor Evans Public School.

While she has no specific issues with Centennial, Hocken worries, in general, about the safety of students travelling to and from the school.

“If you just look at a map of Guelph, Centennial does look really close to us,” she said. “It’s a very quick drive on the highway, [but] it’s actually a 75-minute walk.”

Jackie Hammond has two children who also go to Taylor Evans Public School.

“The overpass on Highway 124, going over Highway 6 - that’s the route that most of our kids would have to take,” she said. “There are no bike lanes, there are no sidewalks, there’s nothing. I’m not really sure how anyone would walk across that bridge to be honest.”

Alyssa, a Grade 7 student at Taylor Evans Public School, expected to go to Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute.

“All of the options currently say that Taylor Evans [students] go to Centennial, there’s no other options for them. I really hope they listen and put a out a few more options for us.”

CTV News reached out to the Upper Grand District School Board. Their email read, in part: “The UGDSB is in the early stages of the boundary review process, and we are continuing to gather input from school communities. Student safety is always our primary concern.”

The board said additional school options will be presented to the Finance and Facilities Committee in April. All options will then be reviewed over the following months, with a final decision set to be announced in September.