New Tottenham school priority

New Tottenham public elementary school remains a SCDSB priority

Posted May 12, 2025

Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) top 10 capital projects submission for 2025-26 continues to include a new elementary school in Tottenham, and a major addition to Baxter Central. Both failed to secure approval in 2024.

The SCDSB estimates New Tecumseth growth generates an average of 176 to 232 students per year "based on demonstrated yields and trends,"

The proposed $21.2 million school "would assist in accommodating the growth needs while still ensuring the area schools remain sustainable in the long-term," according to the background report to trustees.

"The board submitted a business case for a new 426 pupil place, two-story school. A site has been purchased in preparation for the growth to occur within this portion of Tottenham. The board is currently advancing a repeat design from the MOE design catalogue. An architect has been hired and has advanced the school design to approximately 80 per cent. The board is working with the Town of New Tecumseth through the site plan approval process."

Baxter Central also faces growth pressures from new development, but until now the school building was limited by servicing constraints and could only accommodate one portable.

"This community has recently seen developed municipal services, including a connection to Baxter Central PS. The new urban form of development has increased the number of residential units that would typically service a rural school. The new growth can not be accommodated in the school, hence the need for an addition to support the growth occurring," according to the report.

"The board is proposing an addition of 141 pupil places, transforming the current library into a new Kindergarten class, and constructing a new library at Baxter Central PS, resulting in a new OTG of 504. An architect has been hired and has advanced the school addition design to approximately 50 per cent. The board is working with the Township of Essa through the site plan approval process."