More uncertainty after OCDSB scraps elementary overhaul

Parents say they still have questions after the OCDSB supervisor decided to scrap the controversial elementary program review. CTV’s Katie Griffin reports.

There’s more uncertainty for parents and students in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board after its supervisor cancelled the controversial overhaul of its elementary programs.

OCDSB supervisor Robert Plamondon said the plan that would have impacted grade structures, school boundaries and programs would be replaced with an approach that “doesn’t disrupt students and is reflective of community feedback.”

“The OCDSB will gradually reduce the number of program streams where it is practical to do so and where students are not compelled to change schools,” Plamondon wrote. Multiple requests for interviews with Plamondon have been refused.

Some parents say they feel relieved that the overhaul will not proceed.

“Relief because something of this magnitude really needs to make sure that we’ve given it thorough, thoughtful approach, thorough review and really taking time to get it right,” said Kayla Fernet.

“That’s also met with sort of a cautious optimism in terms of what comes next.”

In May, Trustees approved the review.

The review would have required around 1,500 more students than normal to change schools in September 2026. It would have also seen changes to the grade structures at 18 schools and alterations to the boundaries at dozens of schools.

Many parents protested the changes, expressing concern that the new programs would cause disruption to their children’s education.

“It’s going to be really important to understand exactly what is changing and what is the timeline of those changes and what does that look like? And what does that mean for students, their families and our communities?,” Fernet said.

“I know this whole process has taken a toll [on a lot] of families, there’s been a lot of stress, a lot of upheaval.”

The board says middle French immersion will still be phased out and no students will be enrolled in alternative schools next September. Anyone currently in alternative schools will be able to continue or transfer to another school.

Parents also fought to save special education programs in the initial review and won. The board says they will not be impacted but some parents are still worried.

“All the work that we’ve done, all the advocacy that we’ve done, all the meetings with the trustees that we’ve done are just gone, and we don’t know what this all means to our kids and to us and to our schooling,” said Cathy Varrette.

“There’s verbiage in that memo from the supervisor that suggests that they’ll be moving towards having kids in their community schools and offering less of a variety of programing and it’s hard to not think that they’re referring to special education programing,” said Kate Dudley Logue.

Parents also expressed concern over plans to stop livestreaming OCDSB committees.

“The minister claims that boards under supervision are going to be in a much better place. Well if that’s the case, then why wouldn’t you want to share this quote, unquote much better place with everybody in the community? It lacks transparency. And again, completely unacceptable in a democracy,” said trustee Donna Blackburn.

In a statement, Education Minister Paul Calandra said he “made this decision to maintain meetings that are productive, professional, and focused on improving student success and achievement, rather than serving as a forum for political commentary.”

Calandra said all meetings will be open to the public “with hybrid participation options with public posting of agendas, minutes, and decisions.”

The board said “committee members and delegates can still participate remotely when necessary and all are welcome to attend in person.”

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