Six schools could become two in the future

There’s a preferred option coming forward when it comes to school accommodations at the Near North Board.

A staff report for the Capital Planning Committee says it involves the consolidation of six schools — including Chippewa, West Ferris and Widdifield.

The other three are ET Carmichael, EW Norman and WJ Fricker.

Two new schools would be built and open in 2020.

A JK-6 school would go on the WJ Fricker site and a grade 7-12 school on the Chippewa site.

The report says the option will reduce the number of surplus spaces in the North Bay planning area by 1,826 based on 2020-21 projected enrolment.

It goes on to say a combined $84-million in cumulative renewal needs by 2020-21 will be eliminated.

As for what’s next, the report proposes an accommodations review process get started in the new year.