The delayed opening of a new junior kindergarten to Grade 12 “super school” in Parry Sound has forced hundreds of high school students into remote learning, sparking protests from parents and students and prompting the Ontario government to launch a governance review of the Near North District School Board.
The school, originally scheduled to open on September 2, remains unfinished due to construction delays. With the old high school partially demolished, Grade 9 to 12 students are confined to online classes, while elementary students continue at McDougall and Nobel Public Schools until the new facility is ready.
Parents say the lack of communication and accountability has left students anxious and frustrated. Rob Hammond, local union president and father of a Grade 12 student, said: “She wants to be in school, she’s keen to go to school, she always has been and it’s tough on her.”
Education Minister Paul Calandra has ordered a full governance review of the school board, calling the situation “unacceptable” and demanding a report within 30 days. “Like you, I am incredibly disappointed, frustrated, and to be frank, angry. This delay highlights the weakness of the existing school board governance structure,” Calandra said in a letter to parents.
In recent weeks, parents and students have staged rallies outside the new school building, holding signs such as “Clicking isn’t learning.” They argue remote classes cannot replace in-person education, especially for graduating students hoping to pursue scholarships through athletics and extracurricular activities.
Concerns have also been raised about internet access for rural families, lack of dedicated classrooms for music and second languages, and whether the new facility can adequately serve students from kindergarten to Grade 12 under one roof.
Community members say the situation has undermined confidence in the school board and disrupted both students and teachers, who are left without access to classrooms to prepare lessons.
The provincial review and community protests continue as parents press for transparency and clarity on when the new school will finally open.