School board officials are setting the record straight about a Bothwell elementary school after concerns were raised over the use of three-grade combined classes.
Chris White, a candidate for school board trustee in the upcoming municipal election, penned an open letter to the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) this week after families were informed about classroom reorganizations at Zone Township Central School.
As part of a class organization and staffing review, the Bothwell school was divided into three classrooms, each comprised of students from three different grades. The change came into effect on Monday, September 21.
There are currently 74 students enrolled at Zone Township Central School.
White said parents were not properly consulted and expressed concerns about how the three-grade split classes could impact student achievement.
“Reorganizing classrooms after the school year is already started creates significant disruption to student routine, classroom dynamics, and teacher planning,” White said in his letter.
However, the school board said reviews are conducted at all of its elementary schools in September, once student registrations and enrolment numbers have been finalized. They said parents were notified as soon as the process was finalized.
“While changes made after the start of a school year can be challenging for students, families, and staff, these decisions are never made lightly. They occur only after careful consideration of a range of factors, including student learning needs, class size requirements, staffing allocations, available resources, and compliance with provincial and contractual requirements,” the school board said in an emailed statement.
The board said a committee of principals, union representatives, and supervisory officers explored multiple options in an effort to support long-term enrolment and sustainability at the school.
“These included initiatives intended to attract additional families to the school community, such as efforts to secure before- and after-school childcare programming at the site. Additional opportunities continue to be explored to strengthen and support the school,” the board said. “Educators work diligently to ensure curriculum expectations are met, and students receive the supports they need to succeed.”
In his letter, White also expressed his worry over how the class reorganization would affect staffing levels, specifically for teachers and educational assistants.
When asked if the changes to the class structure would affect staff at the Botwell school, LKDSB officials did not provide a response to CKXS News.
“Multi-grade classrooms are a common and longstanding practice in Ontario’s public education system, particularly in smaller schools where enrolment fluctuations can significantly impact class organization,” the board said in its statement.
The school board added that it will remain committed to ongoing communication with families, listening to concerns, answering questions, and engaging in respectful dialogue.
