Public Update from Director of Education and Supervisor of the Near North District School Board
May 7, 2026
We are pleased to share some exciting news about your JK-12 school in Parry Sound.
The secondary school portion of the new building is ready to welcome staff and students.
At the end of the day on June 4, and during the June 5 PA Day, staff will begin moving personal and instructional materials into the new space. Over the weekend, remaining classroom items from Parry Sound High School will be relocated to the new building. Students will begin classes in the new facility on Monday, June 8.
The name of the secondary school will not change and remain Parry Sound High School. A name for the elementary school will be announced at a future date.
Elementary students from PSHS feeder schools will begin Grade 9 at the new build on September 8. Students in all grades currently at the McDougall and Nobel sites will also begin school at the new build on September 8. Brigid Wright will be the principal of the elementary school.
The timing of this move allows for important, time-sensitive work to begin at the current school site, including abatement and demolition, ensuring the full JK-12 school is ready for completion by mid-August.
We are also pleased to confirm that Liz Simser will remain principal of the secondary school and transition to the new building to lead this process. She will work closely with staff to ensure teachers, administrators, and students are well supported throughout the move. A range of supports will also be in place to help students adjust to the new environment and ensure a smooth start.
Staff are actively planning the transition and celebrations to acknowledge the closing of the current high school and the opening of the new high school. Additional celebrations are also being planned for September as both schools are welcomed into the new space.
We will continue to provide regular communications in the coming days and weeks to keep everyone informed. Additionally, a question-and-answer page is now available.
We’re looking forward to June 8.
Sincerely,
Jay MacJanet Rebecca Bell
Director of Education Supervisor, NNDSB
new JK-12 Parry Sound school Updates
Thank you for providing feedback. We are pleased to provide this Community Feedback Report.
Nov. 11, 2025 - Report to Committee of the Whole
Oct. 14, 2025 - Report to Committee of the Whole
Sept. 9, 2025 Report to Committee of the Whole
April 8, 2025 Committee of the Whole minutes
Mar. 18, 2025 Committee of the Whole Public minutes
Jan. 11, 2025 Committee of the Whole minutes
Dec. 12, 2024 Environment committee agenda
Dec. 10, 2024 Committee of the Whole agenda
Nov. 12, 2024 Committee of the Whole agenda
Oct. 8, 2024 Committee of the Whole agenda
Sept. 10, 2024 Committee of the Whole agenda
May 23, 2024 Parry Sound Build Committee meeting - Minutes (unofficial)
Jan. 10, 2023 Committee of the Whole agenda
Dec. 20, 2023 Parry Sound Build Committee meeting - Minutes
Oct. 27, 2023 Parry Sound Build Committee meeting - Minutes
Oct. 10, 2023 Committee of the Whole Public agenda
June 22, 2023 Parry Sound Build Committee meeting - Minutes
June 14, 2023 Parry Sound Build Committee meeting - Minutes
April 21, 2023 Parry Sound Build Committee meeting - Minutes
February 6, 2023 Parry Sound Build Committee meeting - Minutes
January 12, 2023 Parry Sound Build Committee meeting - Minutes
December 14, 2022 Parry Sound Committee meeting - Minutes
Dec. 13, 2022 Committee of the Whole agenda
April 4, 2022 Parry Sound Build Committee meeting- Minutes
Nov. 10, 2021 Parry Sound Build Committee Meeting - Minutes
Nov. 2, 2021 Parry Sound Build Committee Meeting - Minutes
June 2021 Parry Sound Build Committee Meeting- Minutes
June 2021 Parry Sound Build Committee Board Report
May 2021 Board of Trustees meeting build update
May 2021 building committee minutes
NNDSB updates contingency plan, moves PSHS to remote learning - Aug. 26, 2025
NNDSB releases PS JK-12 school contingency plan - Aug. 15, 20235
NNDSB will release Parry Sound JK-12 school contingency plan for students and families on Aug. 15 - Aug. 14, 2025
Update on Parry Sound JK-12 school construction - Aug. 13, 2025
Parry Sound K-12 school update - Aug. 7, 2025
NNDSB awards Parry Sound JK-12 construction contract after funding increase by Ministry of Education - June 28, 2023
Committee outlines details about new Parry Sound school - Feb. 6, 2023
Parry Sound build update - Nov. 18, 2021
Staff, partners discuss space at new Parry Sound school - Sept. 23, 2021
Partial demolition tender awarded for Parry Sound build - Aug. 5, 2021
Board commits to transparent communication with community about Parry Sound JK-12 build - June 22, 2021
Invitation to Parry Sound build community presentation - June 3, 2021
Trustees Updated on Parry Sound JK-12. build - May 18, 2021
Highlights from April Board meeting - April 26, 2021
Highlights from March Board Meeting - March 18, 2021
Architectural firm selected for new Parry Sound school - February 16, 2021
Update on Parry Sound JK-12 project - September 18, 2018
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.
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: Elizabeth Simser, 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.
