Sacred Heart Catholic School (Mildmay)

Public Consultation Timeline – Sacred Heart Catholic School (Mildmay)

As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and collaboration, the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board is engaging families in meaningful conversations about short- and long-term accommodation planning for Sacred Heart Catholic School – Mildmay.

Key Milestones

November 25, 2024
🎥 Introductory Presentation shared with the Sacred Heart Mildmay school community.

November 29, 2024
📢 Survey and Introductory Video distributed to all Sacred Heart Mildmay families.
📝 The survey remained open until Friday, December 13, 2024, allowing families to share input on future planning.

March 4, 2025
📍 Save the Date: Town Hall Meeting Announcement

Upcoming Event: Community Town Hall

Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Sacred Heart Catholic School, Mildmay

You're Invited!

Dear Sacred Heart Mildmay Families,

We warmly invite you to attend an important Community Town Hall on March 4, 2025. This gathering will provide a meaningful update on our school’s accommodation planning process, including highlights from the recent survey and next steps.

What to Expect:

• A summary of feedback received from families and community members

• An overview of proposed short- and long-term accommodation plans

• An open forum to share your thoughts and ask questions

Your voice matters. Let’s continue working together to shape the future of Sacred Heart Catholic School with unity and care.

Please mark your calendars—more details will be shared closer to the date.
We look forward to welcoming you!

Next Steps:

Capital Priority Process

 

Capital Priority Applications Open		Board receives Application Approval		Ministry Funding Announcement		Project Design
Building Occupancy		Tender & Construction		Municipal Approvals		Ministry Approval to Proceed

 

Questions and Answers:

Portable Classrooms and Student Accommodations

To reduce costs, why would there not be two portables brought in to support the student population?

The cost to bring in a portable is approximately $150,000, so we need to assess the use of portables based on the projected enrollment and class-size allocations across the school district. Other factors that we also need to assess are the suitability of the school grounds for additional structures, the long-term maintenance and operational costs of portables, the potential impact on the learning environment, and the overall plan for the school's future infrastructure. We are committed to finding the most effective and sustainable solutions for our students while being mindful of budgetary responsibility. 

Are the bathrooms included in the portable, or are they separate?

The portable washrooms will be a separate structure from the portable, similar to the washrooms currently located on the playgrounds.

How is the class that uses the portable determined?

To ensure equitable distribution and alignment with board-wide class size averages, class assignments in portable classrooms are made with careful consideration and analysis of student needs and available resources. 

Decision to Remove the Junior School Building

Can you provide information on the decision to take down the Junior School building?
The Junior School building was in poor condition, and the cost of repairs was prohibitive, making restoration financially unfeasible. As a Board, we have a responsibility to use resources wisely and ensure long-term sustainability. Also at the time, enrollment was low, and funding for building repairs was limited, as it had to be distributed across 13 facilities.

Community perception is that the building is on “bad ground.”

We understand that there are community perceptions regarding the condition of the ground where the building stood. To ensure we have accurate information, we will be conducting a geotechnical report to thoroughly assess the site. This investigation will provide a professional evaluation of the ground conditions, and we will share relevant findings once the assessment is complete.

Funding and Future Planning

What is the likelihood that the Ministry funding will be approved?

The Board is dedicated to working closely with our partners and with the Ministry of Education through the shovel-ready process to ensure our project proposal complies with capital priority submission requirements.

What will happen to this school if this new building goes forward? This building would be an overhead as well for the board if there is a new build, right?

We propose repurposing the existing school into a dynamic community education center. This facility could accommodate specialized programs, adult learning initiatives, and organizational partnerships. This presents an opportunity to develop a valuable space that addresses the needs of our students and families. Further consultation with staff and community members will be undertaken as part of the "shovel-ready" process.

If the new build idea is declined, what would be the next steps?

If the new build proposal is not approved, we will assess the reasons for the decision and consider alternative options. Based on survey feedback, pursuing a new build on a new property would be the next option.

Project Timeline and Design Considerations

The timeline mentioned was three years, which seems quite fast compared to schools like St. Mary’s, where the process has taken much longer. I’m curious about how this timeline is achievable.

The Ministry of Education has introduced a revised "shovel-ready" process, which requires a comprehensive checklist of prerequisites to be completed before submission. In contrast, the St. Mary's High School project adhered to the previous procedures, where "shovel-ready" activities could not commence until approvals were secured. The updated "shovel-ready" approach aims to accelerate the capital priority process compared to the former method.

Do the current footings hold a second story?

The existing footings at the west end of the current school are designed to support a second floor. However, due to site and space limitations, the overall footprint of the school cannot be expanded.

Do you have a floor plan yet? Will it be one or two stories?

At this stage, we do not have a floor plan. The design process has not yet started; however, once we reach the stage of having draft plans available, we will hold consultation sessions to gather input from the community. The decision on whether the building will be one or two stories will be determined as part of this process. 

Community Feedback and Further Questions

If you have additional questions or comments, please forward them to Business Services at: [email protected].