SCDSB puts new grade school in Tree Tops on its capital priority list
Posted April 1, 2026
iA new public elementary school in the Tree Tops subdivision is included on the draft capital priority list for future provincial funding submission in the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) 2026-27 Accommodation Plan (AP).
An addition to Baxter Central Public School is also included as is a second high school in Bradford.
The AP "is intended to provide clear direction on what the board deems necessary to address accommodation, enrolment, program, and building condition pressures experienced in SCDSB schools," according to the report to SCDSB's Business standing committee.
In the previous round of funding announcements, a new elementary school in Tottenham at 80 McGahey Street in Tottenham, was approved and expected to open in September 2028.
As a component of that, an accommodation review will take place and include Adjala Central PS, Tecumseth Beeton ES, Tecumseth South Central PS and Tottenham PS. This review will commence in the 2027-28 school year.
The AP currently outlines four circumstances where contingencies have been developed in the event of facility component failure or critical site limitations. These schools include Banting Memorial HS (facility condition), Collingwood CI (facility condition), and the Angus group of elementary and secondary schools (critical site limitations).
Previous reviews of the condition of Banting done to support its replacement - approved in 2022 but no yet under construction - deemed "the building critical to repair, approaching prohibitive to repair. Components such as power distribution systems, interior and exterior lighting systems, roofing, hot water boilers, domestic water distribution system, heated water distribution, radiation units, air handling units, and greenhouse replacement are some of the main components identified as reaching their life expectancy. There is a considerable amount of asbestos containing materials (ACM) in the building which introduces logistical challenges when it comes to maintaining, repairing, and renewing the building. If any one of these components fail, the school, or portions thereof, would need to be closed."
In the interim, a contingency plan to accommodate the school
In the interim, the board has developed contingency plans to maintain instruction in the event of partial or full closure.
Short-term measures for localized failures, typically lasting two to 10 days, include relocating students within the building, adjusting school hours to rotate classes or moving instruction online.
In the event of a broader shutdown, options include relocating classes to Ernest Cumberland Elementary School, Alliston Union Public School or Boyne River Public School after regular school hours, or partnering with Nottawasaga Pines Secondary School.
Additional measures could include splitting the school day by grade, renting space at the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre or using other community facilities to support programming.
