Ottawa public school board to release report Friday addressing ‘hot spots’ of concerns for boundary changes

Parents worry about program cuts at OCDSB

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board will release a report on Friday to address “some of the concerns that have been raised” about the proposed changes to programs and boundaries in elementary schools, according to the director of education.

Parents and guardians have raised concerns with the proposed changes to school boundaries at dozens of schools across the city and changing the grade structure at 30 elementary schools starting in 2026.

During an online public consultation session Monday afternoon, OCDSB Director of Education Pino Buffone said staff will be releasing a report on Friday in response to feedback from parents and guardians.

“it’s no secret that we, as staff, are looking to address hot spots so to speak, that are areas of concern that have been raised,” Buffone said, adding staff are “genuinely” listening to feedback.

“It won’t be perfect, but I’m very convinced that our planners continue to work on areas that have been addressed to try and alleviate some of the concerns that have been raised.”

• Here’s what you need to know about proposed elementary program and school changes at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board

Buffone said the board has seen “themes, recurring concerns” from a cluster of areas across the OCDSB district about the proposed boundary changes.

“We’ll bring forward, sort of, a recommendation from staff based on the balance of all that we’ve heard and what we feel in our professional perspective is best for the organization,” Buffone said, adding the report will have “key elements” on implementing the transition.

Buffone says while OCDSB staff are focusing on addressing “some of the boundary concerns,” the board may return to the idea of “grandfathering” in the future to allow students to remain in a school if there is room.

The director says there are six to eight ‘hot spots’ of concerns, including Severn/Pinecrest, Knoxdale, Broadview, Woodroffe, Rockcliffe Park and Bayview/Sawmill Creek clusters.

“We’ve had some areas where folks are thrilled about the changes we’re making. No concerns raised,” Buffone said.

The school board launched the Elementary Program Review last Spring, reviewing the six programs offered by Ottawa’s largest school board. Staff propose consolidating elementary school programs into Enhanced English and French Immersion, and eliminating Middle French Immersion, closing Alternative schools and phasing out some special education programs.

As part of the changes, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is changing the grade structure at 30 schools and will alter the boundaries at 123 schools across the city. The changes would see 117 elementary schools offer Enhanced English and French Immersion, four schools would only offer French Immersion and two schools would offer special education.

Buffone said people “get the spirit” of the proposed changes to elementary school programs, but concerns have been raised about the boundary and school structure changes.

“We’re hoping that Friday’s report will address some of the concerns that have been raised and also some of the things we can do moving forward with a transition implementation plan should the recommendations brought forward be approved by the board,” Buffone said, noting the recommendations could cover school boundaries, programs and special education classes.

“No final decisions have been made. We’re really in the process of listening here.”

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has said the boundary and grade structure changes could cause 11,000 students to be on the move for the start of the 2026 school year.

Buffone notes it would be “virtually impossible” to address all concerns, but the board is looking to address “as many as we can.”

The OCDSB will discuss the report on April 8. Trustees are scheduled to vote on the proposed elementary program review and school changes on April 29.