In a surprising turn of events, the planned controversial overhaul of elementary programs within the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) will no longer be moving forward, as announced by the board’s provincially appointed supervisor.
Initially approved by OCDSB trustees in May, the proposed plan aimed to phase out alternative schools and middle French immersion. The plan also included the intention to dual-track select schools to offer both English and French immersion programs, with a targeted implementation for the 2026–27 school year.
However, the trustee-endorsed elementary program review will now be revised to adopt an approach that considers community feedback and avoids disrupting students, according to an email sent by OCDSB supervisor Robert Plamondon to parents.
This recent development is part of a broader initiative to standardize programs across OCDSB schools to ensure equal educational opportunities for students regardless of the school they attend.
The origins of these efforts can be traced back to the late 1990s when the merger of Ottawa and Carleton boards led to OCDSB inheriting schools with varying grade structures and offerings. One specific goal was to introduce French immersion programs to 15 single-track English schools to address socio-economic disparities. Data from the board indicates that the English program serves a disproportionate number of students from low-income households, non-English-speaking backgrounds, or with special education requirements.
Despite these intentions, the plan faced significant public scrutiny, with over 12,000 submissions received since the beginning of the year. Notably, many parents with children in alternative schools expressed opposition to the proposed phase-out of those programs.
Plamondon assumed his role as OCDSB supervisor at the end of June following his appointment by Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra. This appointment came in the wake of a provincial investigation into OCDSB’s financial management, prompted by consecutive years of financial deficits. The province attributed financial mismanagement as the rationale for installing a supervisor over the board, although critics have criticized the move as a “power grab.”
Plamondon communicated that the previously planned elementary program changes could have necessitated numerous students to change schools due to alterations in programming, leading to stress for families and a complex exemption process to stay within their current school environment. He emphasized that OCDSB was not equipped to implement such extensive changes equitably or efficiently.
In response, Plamondon pledged to introduce a “new approach” that would gradually streamline program options without compelling students to transfer schools. This revised strategy will offer two elementary program tracks, namely French Immersion and English with Core French, starting as early as grade 1.
While alternative schools are still in the process of being phased out, the board confirmed that enrollment in these programs will cease after the current academic year. Plamondon, however, declined interview requests, preferring written queries.
He underscored that the decision was made following consultations with parents, educators, and students, emphasizing a commitment to providing top-tier education for students and families within the province.