The Municipality of Clarington said it supports the local school board’s funding request to the Ministry of Education for a new Kindergarten-to-Grade 12 school in Newcastle.
Due to over-capacity issues at the elementary school in Newcastle, the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) has decided to move younger students to Pines Senior Public School on Highway 35/115, said a municipal statement.
Local parents have raised several concerns about this plan, including:
- The 90 kmh speed limit on Highway 35/115, while most school zones have a 40 kmh speed limit.
- Younger students, including those with special needs, are at a higher risk of possibly fleeing from the classroom, which puts them at risk of road danger.
Newcastle is growing, with development anticipated to add 1,300 new housing units and potentially 230 more students by 2027, according to an estimate from the local school board.
The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board has resubmitted a capital priorities funding request to the Ministry of Education for a Kindergarten-to-Grade 12 school in Newcastle. Clarington Council voted unanimously to support that funding request at the Monday, March 13 Council meeting.
“This is a unanimous show of support from council for a new school in east Clarington, which has been needed for a very long time,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster.