The Greater Essex County District School Board is getting set to add French immersion to Marlborough and Central public schools in September.
While parents are looking forward to the opportunities the new programming will present, many are upset about the boundary changes that come along with it which will impact Bellewood Public School and Giles Campus.
The board is making the adjustments to accommodate higher enrollment, meaning students will have to change schools, or in some cases, siblings will be split up between two schools.
Parent Sharron Bevington says there's got to be a better way.
"I completely understand that change has to be made. I understand change is hard and I understand that they didn't take it lightly, but I believe that moving current students is not the right solution. I believe that the quality of education, I feel like my daughter's education will be hurt."
Marlborough Public School (Photo by AM800's Zander Broeckel)
Bevington says before and after school care for her daughter is going to be an issue as well.
"In this catchment area of Marlborough there are very few daycares. So in addition to moving schools, she also has to move her before and after school care. I fully acknowledge that kids are resilient, my daughter is going to rock whatever change I choose for her, but there are concerns about how they came about this decision."
Superintendent of Education Todd Awender says they're hoping to fill a need for French immersion on the west side.
"We're always looking for solutions as far as the boundary adjustment and the program adjustment at the school. We're looking forward to it. I know Marlborough is extremely excited. The principal, Mr. Brown, was very ecstatic when he was told that this was going to be the case. So they're going to provide a great program and I know once the kids the are here their going to love their building.)
He says adding the program at Marlborough should help fill its 220 empty student spaces.
"We look for the greatest accessibility in areas that maybe don't have it that have to travel a further distance to get it and the west side of the city we thought was a great place to put the program over here at Marlborough and with Marlborough having the empty space that it does it'll have the room to accommodate the program into the future."
Public School Superintendent of Education Todd Awender discusses school boundary changes with parents (Photo by AM800's Zander Broeckel)
Bevington says she and several other parents are considering changing boards altogether.
"They're obviously only giving us choices within the public board and that's just not the case. I'm an educated person, I've done my research and I believe we should feel empowered to do what's best for our child and I hope those people choose to make their voice heard by leaving the board and taking their tax dollars with them."
Awender says the board is looking into finding solutions for parents.
"We're looking at our transportation and they do their best to get everybody on routes that are going to be efficient and as little time as possible. Then, as far as the child care goes, we have surveys that have gone home to all of our families. We hope that if they need child care that they'll fill those out and send them back."
A public information session was held Wednesday night at Marlborough Public School.
Another is planned for Thursday night at Central Public School beginning at 6pm.