The local school board has reversed its decision to relocate some students in the French immersion program to Clarke Road Secondary School due to low student enrollment and challenges in securing qualified teachers. The Thames Valley District School Board trustees made this decision during a closed-door meeting, which was later announced on the board’s website. Board Chair Beth Mai cited recruitment difficulties for French immersion teachers and concerns regarding program sustainability as reasons for the reversal.
Clarke Road was planned to become the sixth French immersion site in the region and the third in London. The decision to establish this site in the 2023-24 school year was driven by population growth and the school’s below-optimal enrollment numbers compared to other high schools in the area.
Despite initial plans, the move faced opposition from parents during public consultations in 2023. M.J. Kidnie, a parent with children in Banting’s French immersion program, welcomed the cancellation, expressing concerns about program quality with additional locations. The decision also prompted some parents to enroll their children in the French immersion program offered by the Catholic school board.
Erma Schadenberg, one of the concerned parents, had initially enrolled her daughter at Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School due to the boundary changes but will now send her to Banting following the board’s reversal. The school board emphasized responsible allocation of financial resources and highlighted plans to concentrate French immersion resources at Banting and Laurier to ensure program quality and accessibility.
In a statement, TVDSB reiterated its commitment to meeting the increasing demand for French immersion while exploring opportunities for program expansion in a sustainable manner to support student success.