Protest against school boundary changes to take place Friday

The OCDSB administration building on Greenbank Road. (CTV News Ottawa)

A protest against the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s (OCDSB) controversial elementary school restructuring plan is scheduled for Friday afternoon.

The OCDSB elementary program review proposes changes to school boundaries and some specialized programs, as well as French immersion programming and grade structures, which would see thousands of students switch schools. Some younger students would be required to switch schools earlier than expected, sometimes without their siblings.

It’s estimated around 11,000 students would be required to change schools, roughly 5,000 more than in a typical year.

Thirty schools would be affected by the proposed changes to grade structures, while the boundary changes would affect 198 programs in 123 schools across the board.

Friday’s protest is expected to take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the OCDSB office on Greenbank Road.

The OCDSB said earlier this week it is taking another look at the plan, taking feedback from upcoming consultations and an online survey to see if any adjustments can be made.

The board is expected to make a final decision on the restructuring plan next month. Some Ottawa parents have sent a letter to Education Minister Jill Dunlop, asking the ministry to review the proposed changes and delay next month’s vote.