Near North District School Board

New JK-12 Parry Sound school

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On Jan. 14, 2026, Paul Calandra, Minister of Education, in his capacity having control and charge over the administration of the affairs of the Near North District School Board (“NNDSB”) has directed the termination of the NNDSB’s contract with the general contractor for the new Parry Sound JK–12 School and Child Care Facility.

This decision followed an extensive period of review and engagement, including formal notices of default and opportunity for the contractor to resolve the outstanding concerns of NNDSB.

The notice of termination delivered earlier this morning referenced concerns with respect to:

  • The absence of a reliable and regularly updated construction schedule
  • The performance of work in accordance with the contract documents
  • The prompt correction of defective work and deficiencies
  • The registration of numerous construction liens against the project

After careful consideration, NNDSB has determined that continuing under the existing arrangement would place the project’s successful completion and timeline at risk.

As of today, NNDSB has regained full control of the project and is taking the necessary steps to ensure it is completed to the standard our community expects and deserves. This action was taken as a last resort and reflects the board’s responsibility to intervene when a major capital project is no longer on a reliable path forward.

NNDSB remains fully committed to delivering this state-of-the-art school safely and on target for opening in September 2026. We will secure a new general contractor and maintain close oversight of the project to support a smooth transition and minimize disruption.

Our focus is firmly on students and families, and on ensuring public resources are managed responsibly and in the best interests of the community.

Next Steps:

  • Current site safety protocols remain in place under NNDSB control.
  • Updates will follow as we transition to a new construction team.

Thank you for your patience and continued support. Our priority remains delivering a safe, modern learning environment where Parry Sound students can learn and thrive.

                                                                                                                                                                                 

 On December 1, 2025 the Minister of Education placed the Near North District School Board under supervision. While under supervision, all decisions that would normally be made by trustees will now be made by the appointed Supervisor.
Project updates will be made available as soon as possible.

It has now been confirmed that the new facility will not be ready for occupancy by the first day of school in September 2025. While this is not the outcome we expected, the Senior Team and board staff are actively developing contingency plans to ensure that all students have access to appropriate learning environments when the school year begins.
JK- Grade 6 students who were set to attend McDougall Public School in September will attend that school location as originally planned. Students in Grades 9 - 12 will begin the school year remotely, with a goal to move into the current Parry Sound High School building as soon as possible. All Grades 7 - 8 students will attend the Nobel Public School site.  
NNDSB has implemented a comprehensive communication strategy to inform the public, NNDSB families, staff, union partners, and community stakeholders of this delay. Updates will be shared through SchoolMessenger, NNDSB Facebook, and on this webpage to ensure transparency and timely information sharing.
In parallel, we are continuing to work through key operational aspects of the contingency plan, including staffing, transportation, and student supports. We recognize the impact this delay may have on families and are committed to doing everything possible to support students through this transition.
At this time, a timeline for completion of the new build and subsequent transition of the staff and students to the new JK-12 school has not been identified. NNDSB will continue to monitor progress closely and provide regular updates as more information becomes available.

new JK-12 Parry Sound school Updates

Additional Information

We’ve received input from the community indicating a need for greater clarity. In response, we have removed the FAQ section, housing the rest of the relevant information in the updated contingency plan, and providing supplemental information in the New JK-12 Parry Sound school section of our website.

Plan to Accommodate Students:

The plan is for students who were originally to attend JK–Grade 6 at McDougall Public School to remain at that school. All Grade 7–8 students will attend Nobel Public School.

Students in Grades 9–12 will move to remote learning to start the school year, until the existing Parry Sound High School building is ready to accommodate staff and students. This is a short-term solution until staff and students can be safely accommodated at PSHS. A remote learning plan has been established by our IT and Program teams to make sure that staff, students, and families can smoothly adjust to remote learning. A technology request form was sent to families of Grade 9-12 students in the current PSHS building on Aug. 25 to inventory and prepare devices.

Here is a link to the full contingency plan.

Programming and Preparation of Buildings:

Both McDougall and Nobel schools have been functioning as elementary schools as of June 2025. They received minor updates and accommodations to ensure that the rooms, furniture, and resources are appropriate for the programs and students they will be receiving on Sept. 2.

Transportation:

Students attending Nobel Public School for Grades 7-8 (all students who would have been attending the new Parry Sound High School site) have been added to transportation routes. For students attending McDougall Public School for grades JK to 6, all in-zone students are considered eligible and have been added to transportation. For Grades 9-12 students, when Parry Sound High School is ready to accommodate staff and students, there is no change with respect to eligibility for transportation. The transportation consortium has shared an updated memo with more details here.

PSHS Student Recreational and Social Spaces:

Supervision is already set up for the lunchroom and mini-library during the lunch hours.  Students will be permitted to eat lunch in the school hallways as is common practice in secondary schools around the province. The supervision schedule has already been adjusted to add hallway supervision during the lunch break.

Secondary students are not required to remain on campus during the lunch hour.  Some students may choose to leave campus to buy food at local establishments or go for walks around the neighbourhood. Picnic tables will also be added to the fenced outside area previously used for the intermediate play yard.  Students will have access to this safe outdoor area during the lunch break.

During the school day, students can also use the space in Rooms 272 and 270 for quiet study as they did in the former cafeteria/library combination area.

Updates related to Building Structure, Asbestos Abatement, and Occupancy

As part of the contingency planning for the new JK-12 build, the demolition of the existing Parry Sound High School (PSHS) was broken into two phases. To facilitate the construction of the temporary parking lots, bus loop and fire emergency routing for the new JK-12 school, the one-storey section of PSHS was removed as phase one. Asbestos abatement was completed only in the area subject to demolition, and demolition of that section was completed in a controlled manner to maintain the functionality of the remaining portion of PSHS. This replicated the process completed in Fall of 2021 when a portion of PSHS was demolished to prepare for construction while students and staff continued to attend the school.

Following the phase one demolition, NNDSB received a structural report from a Licensed Professional Engineer. The report states that the remaining structure has not been compromised and remains safe for student occupancy. There are a small number of items to be completed so that the existing PSHS will be ready to receive staff and students. NNDSB is making every effort to work with the Town of Parry Sound Building Department and Fire Department to address these items, as well as any new concerns they may raise. These items can be found in the Additional Information Item for Families document, which is posted here.

Contact information:

McDougall Public School: Brigid Wright, 705 -773-7971

Nobel School: Laurie Payne, 705-773-7988

Parry Sound High School: Heather Howald, 705-773-7979

 

All of the information that has been collected from stakeholder groups, including teaching and operational staff, students and First Nations representatives, remains relevant as Near North District School Board (NNDSB) moves ahead in its work to build a new JK-12 school in Parry Sound.

It was announced in February 2021 that the Ventin Group (+VG Architects) was awarded the contract to design a school that seamlessly transitions area children from daycare through to secondary school in a building that is modern and reflects the needs of 21st century education.

The school will include a childcare centre and an EarlyON Child and Family Centre.

There is a program sub-committee and a building sub-committee, both of which will make regular progress reports to the Parry Sound JK-12 Build Committee. That committee will make regular reports to the Board, which will be available in the agenda packages and in the links to the right. Topics of high interest will be issued as media releases, which are available in the links to the right.

New Parry Sound School aerial view rendering

New Parry Sound School front entrance rendering

Welcome to Kindergarten

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Kindergarten is an investment in our future. The Near North District School Board is pleased to offer a two year Kindergarten program.Establishing a strong foundation in the early years will give Ontario's four- and five-year-olds a stronger start with their learning. It will help improve their reading, writing and math skills, provide a smoother transition to Grade 1 and help increase their success in school and beyond.

Students Who Make a Difference

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Outline of a face The 31st Annual Evening of Applause, held on March 21, 2018, recognizes the globally celebrated Day of Anti-Racial Discrimination, and featured nominated and deserving students from Kindergarten to post- secondary from all four school boards and educational institutions across Nipissing District.

EoA online spread 2018

 

EoA photo collage 2018

The Near North District School Board was pleased to honour 4 nominated and deserving students.

“Students Who Make a Difference” Nominations:

Carissa Robinson – Grade 3 @ Sunset Park Public School

Brooklynn Pegg – Grade 5 @ Silver Birches Public School

Liam McNeil – Grade 7 @ West Ferris Intermediate School

Kate Sherry – Grade 12 @ Widdifield Secondary School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DELF (French) Proficiency Test

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DELF junior

The Near North District School Board is happy to announce to, once again, be a part of the DELF Pilot Project in Ontario.

The DELF is a second language proficiency test that is above and beyond the Grade 12 FSL curriculum. In last year’s project, all participants successfully achieved this world wide recognized accreditation. Please sign up with the link below if you are currently in a grade 12 FSL course and wish to participate in this test of French proficiency. Please speak with your classroom teacher to support your decision.

There is a fee of $50 (cheque made payable to the NNDSB) to cover the cost of the test. Full information was given to interested grade 12 students during a classroom visit and teachers have extra copies.

Our Board graciously appreciates the support and guidance from Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB (DELF Centre) and the Ministry of Education.

Significant Capital Funding Requests Approved

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Good news

MEDIA RELEASE

Near North District School Board Receives Approval for Capital Funding Requests

February 1, 2018 –  The Near North District School Board is very excited to announce that the Government of Ontario has approved very significant capital funding requests, both of which are a result of student accommodation review processes.

Capital funding has been committed to build a new elementary school on the W.J. Fricker Public School site at 790 Norman Avenue in North Bay to accommodate Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 students from E.T. Carmichael and E.W. Norman public schools, along with Extended French Grade 5 and 6 students from W.J. Fricker Public School.  The construction of integrated child care facilities has also been approved with 1 Infant, 1 Toddler, 2 Pre-School rooms as well as the construction of a new EarlyON Child and Family Centre.  Working in partnership with the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) and third-party licensee, YMCA Northeastern Ontario, children and families can expect a seamless approach to quality childcare and school programs in one facility, which is anticipated to open in September of 2020.

“The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board is very pleased to support this project, bringing much needed quality early years and childcare services into the education system,” said DNSSAB chair Mark King. “This is an excellent example of considering what’s effective and convenient for children and families in the Nipissing District.”

W.J. Fricker Public School will close at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.  In September 2019, Grade 5 and 6 students from W.J. Fricker will be accommodated at E.W. Norman while the new school is being constructed and the Grade 7 and 8 students from W.J. Fricker will attend the Chippewa site.

As previously announced, child care facilities (one Infant room, one Toddler room and one Pre-School room) will be included in the design of the new Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 school at 111 Isabella Street in Parry Sound.  Working with the Parry Sound District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) to further enhance services for families, capital funding has been committed by the Government of Ontario to build a new EarlyON Child and Family Centre at the new school.  The Board hopes to be able to tender for architectural services this Spring.

“The Board of Trustees are pleased to see another reinvestment of tax dollars supporting our long-term Capital Plan that modernizes local education in the City of North Bay and the Town of Parry Sound,” said school board chair David Thompson.

The Board graciously acknowledges the financial investment the Government of Ontario has committed to these projects.

The Near North District School Board remains committed to: ensuring that students are accommodated in facilities that are safe and healthy; promoting optimal learning environments; and, offering optimal programming options.

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For further information, please contact:

Carrie Girard, Information Officer

Carrie.Girard@nearnorthschools.ca

(705) 472-8170, extension 5010

 

 

Good news

 

2018 Program Transitions Announced in Preparation of North Bay High School Consolidation

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Important news MEDIA RELEASE

2018 Program Transitions Announced in Preparation of North Bay High School Consolidation 

 January 29, 2018 – The systemic capital planning implications of the September 2019 consolidation of three North Bay secondary schools (Chippewa, West Ferris and Widdifield) into two schools with the rebranding of the West Ferris (South) and Chippewa (North) sites require that some program transitions take place for the upcoming school year.

To relieve current accommodation pressures at Chippewa and in order to prepare instructional space required for the 2019 transition, the following programs will transition in September 2018:

  • Current Grade 6 Sunset Park French Immersion students
  • Current Grade 6 W.J. Fricker Extended French students
  • Current 7-11 Chippewa Extended French students
  • Current 7-11 Chippewa French Immersion students (zoned for Sunset Park).

Future opportunities will be provided for parents who were unable to attend the information session tonight.

As previously announced, the following programs will be fully implemented in September of 2019:

 

South Site (currently West Ferris):

·         Arts Nipissing Program / S.T.E.A.M. Program (Grades 9-12),

·         French Immersion Program (Grades 7-12 zoned for Sunset Park),

·         Extended French Program (All North Bay area Grades 7-12), and

·         English Program (Grades 7-12 zoned for West Ferris).

 North Site (currently Chippewa):

·         International Baccalaureate Program (Grades 9-12),

·         French Immersion Program (Grades 7-12 zoned for Alliance),

·         English Program (Grades 7-12 zoned for Widdifield and Chippewa), and

·         W.J. Fricker English Program (Grades 7-8).

*Widdifield Secondary School will close in September 2019.

The Near North District School Board values comprehensive and supportive communication to our valued students and families.  As such, parents of students who are imminently affected were invited to attend an information session at West Ferris tonight to hear first-hand from board and school staff about the 2018 transition, to learn more about ongoing transition planning and to ask related questions.

The Board is highly committed to ensuring that transitions and school environments are supportive of optimal learning conditions for all students.

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For more information, please contact:

Carrie Girard, Information Officer

705-472-8170, extension 5010

Carrie.Girard@nearnorthschools.ca 

3:2 North Bay High School Consolidation – Programming Framework

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MEDIA RELEASE

North Bay High School Consolidation Programming Framework Announced

 

January 19, 2018 –  On September 26, 2017, Trustees approved the consolidation of three North Bay secondary schools (Chippewa, West Ferris and Widdifield) into two schools with the renaming and rebranding of the West Ferris (South) and Chippewa (North) sites.  Since that time staff in all three schools have collaborated to discuss how best to use this opportunity to enhance student program options.

There is much transition planning ahead which will take some time to complete.  The planning of transition activities will involve student, parent and staff voice.

In the interim, the Board is pleased to share its transition programming framework.

The following programs will be fully implemented in September of 2019:

South Site (currently West Ferris):

·         Arts Nipissing Program / S.T.E.A.M. Program (Grades 9-12),

·         French Immersion Program (Grades 7-12 zoned for Sunset Park),

·         Extended French Program (All North Bay area Grades 7-12), and

·         English Program (Grades 7-12 zoned for West Ferris).

  

 

North Site (currently Chippewa):

·         International Baccalaureate Program (Grades 9-12),

·         French Immersion Program (Grades 7-12 zoned for Alliance),

·         English Program (Grades 7-12 zoned for Widdifield and Chippewa), and

·         W.J. Fricker English Program (Grades 7-8).

 

 

*Widdifield Secondary School will close in September 2019.

Parents of students who attend the Board’s Extended French program and the Sunset Park French Immersion program will receive an invitation to attend an information meeting in the coming weeks (Chippewa, Sunset Park and W.J. Fricker).

The Board remains committed to providing parents, students, staff and communities with relevant and timely communication.  The Board thanks its stakeholders in advance for their patience to allow for the time required to develop a thoughtful and purposeful transition plan.

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For more information, please contact:

Carrie Girard, Information Officer,

Carrie.Girard@nearnorthschools.ca

705-472-8170, extension 5010

Biindigen

Mii gwi Anishinabek wewena nkenmaaminak dependajig maa kiing.
"We acknowledge in a good way, the original people of the land here"
We value the cultures, histories and relationships with the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (North America)

Connect With Us

Near North District School Board
963 Airport Road, P.O. Box 3110, North Bay, ON P1B 8H1
[P] 705-472-8170   [TF] 1-800-278-4922   [F] 705-472-9927