Waterloo Catholic Board Delays French Immersion Program Relocation

A significant decision by the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) has postponed plans to relocate a French immersion program affecting 141 students. The board will delay the move until at least 2027, allowing time for a boundary review to address the ongoing issue of over-enrollment. The initial plan, revealed during a board meeting in September, proposed transferring the program from Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School to St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School by September 2026.

Currently, Holy Rosary operates at a capacity of 136 percent, necessitating eight portable classrooms. The board anticipates that continued growth in its English stream could lead to an additional increase, potentially bringing the total to twelve portables. This situation would further strain the limited outdoor space and parking available at the school. In contrast, St. Nicholas is at 106 percent capacity, with three portables in use and the potential for expansion.

Both schools are situated approximately six kilometers apart, translating to a ten-minute drive. As the board reevaluates its options, the relocation has been put on hold for the next two years.

WCDSB Director Annalisa Varano expressed the board’s dedication to community engagement, stating, “This decision reflects the WCDSB’s commitment to listening to our community. We have heard all concerns and believe every voice matters in shaping the future of our schools.” Varano acknowledged the challenges faced by families amid the uncertainty surrounding their children’s educational placements.

Parents have voiced strong opposition to the proposed changes. Lisa Russell, a parent of three, voiced her concerns about the lack of prior consultation regarding the move. She discovered the plan through a community post and subsequently attended the board meeting to express her apprehensions. “There was no indication to the school, the staff, to parents or to trustees; this was just put forth as an operational decision to address overcapacity,” Russell stated.

At the subsequent board meeting, several parents raised similar concerns about the transparency of the decision-making process. Christine Barbeau, another concerned parent, emphasized the broader implications of governance and accountability within the board. “This is about more than French immersion. It’s about how decisions are made in our board: transparency, accountability, and public trust,” she remarked.

In a letter to Ontario’s Education Minister Paul Calandra, Russell suggested that the board’s actions might be strategically aimed at creating overcrowding at St. Nicholas, potentially to secure funding for a new school in the Beaver Creek Meadows area. While Varano indicated that plans for a new elementary school would provide a long-term solution, the board has denied any intent to influence the province’s approval for new school construction.

In response to community feedback, the WCDSB conducted a survey and hosted a town hall meeting to gather input before deciding to initiate a boundary review. Spokesperson Lema Salaymeh confirmed that a staff report recommending the review will be presented in the coming months. The review aims to analyze long-term enrollment trends, space utilization, and optimal program support across the region.

Russell expressed cautious optimism about the upcoming boundary review, emphasizing the need for an open and transparent process. “Essentially, this was the work that needed to be done in the first place,” she noted, arguing that the initial proposal to relocate the French immersion program was merely a temporary fix.

The WCDSB has experienced substantial growth, with a 15 percent increase in enrollment between 2022 and 2025. Projections indicate that by 2033, overall enrollment could rise by 56 percent, reaching 29,294 elementary students. Secondary enrollment is expected to increase by 59 percent, totaling 12,479 students.

As discussions continue, parents like Russell urge the board to confront the realities of enrollment growth. “I do think they need to stop thinking about the enrollment growth as a good thing if we’re having such a profound overcapacity at our schools,” she stated. The future of the French immersion program and broader educational strategies in the WCDSB will depend on the outcomes of the forthcoming boundary review and the board’s commitment to addressing these pressing issues.