Families frustrated over school board’s decision to send Elizabeth Ziegler students to Sandowne Public School

CTV’s Spencer Turcotte talks to frustrated parents preparing for a population boom at Sandowne Public School in Waterloo.

Sandowne Public School will see a planned population boom next school year, and parents of students who attend the school aren’t pleased about it.

“It was shock and disbelief,” said John Paul Sunga, who has a child at Sandowne.

He and other parents say they never had any input on the Waterloo Region District School Board’s decision to send students from Elizabeth Ziegler Public School to Sandowne Public School for the 2025-2026 school year.

“I think that’s been the big disappointment and frustration of many of the families here at Sandowne - there was no consultation from the board,” said Kyla Giles, who has two kids at Sandowne.

“That was just really disrespectful to us,” added Sunga.

French Immersion students at Ziegler are already being bused to Sandowne, and the rest of the Ziegler students are learning in portables on Elizabeth Ziegler grounds. After it was announced the school would stay closed next year over structural concerns, a subsequent decision was made to send both English and French Immersion students to Sandowne.

“How are teachers coming to school every day being prepared and set up for success for teaching our kids when they have to essentially walk into a sardine can?” asked Sunga.

A dozen portables are being brought in to accommodate everyone, including the Ziegler students who are already learning there.

• TIMELINE: Elizabeth Ziegler Public School closure

One of Giles’ kids is in French Immersion at Sandowne and says it’s not the first time they weren’t consulted over a big decision.

“Earlier this year, the board implemented a triple-grade class for our French immersion junior stream here at the school without, again, any consultation from parents,” said Giles.

She worries it’s a recipe for disaster, considering they’re only adding more students.

Sandowne’s current population is around 250 students and this move will see it jump to more than 700. It’s a decision that has come with no reasoning, parents say.

“The transparency is not there. So maybe there are answers to these, but at this moment I have nothing,” said Sunga.

In an email to CTV News on Thursday, the school board shed some light on the considerations they took into account.

“Sandowne PS was selected to welcome the majority of Elizabeth Ziegler Public School students due to having available space within the school, it has the required property to add portables, and is a school that has French Immersion. In addition, the increase in students will benefit Sandowne’s organization,” their statement said, in part.

The school board also acknowledged the concerns of parents.

“Due to the need to make timely decisions to support staffing and planning, we were unable to engage in broader community engagement before finalizing the decision. We understand this has been frustrating for families and want to acknowledge the impact this has had.”

They said they are committed to working with families at both schools to ensure a smooth transition.

Sandowne parents aren’t holding anything against Ziegler families and say they will welcome them. They’re just worried about what it means for both sides.

“I really do feel for the Elizabeth Ziegler families and the situation they’ve been put in,” said Giles.