Arlington school closing

Toronto middle school set to shut Sept 2011
Local parent Robin Fraser questions next steps for community
Kris Scheuer
(Written June 30 for Town Crier. Update HERE.)

Toronto school board voted to close Arlington MS by Sept 2011.

Next year Arlington Middle School will close its doors forever. But it didn’t have to be this way, says local parent Robin Fraser.
On June 23, school trustees voted in favour of closing the school and expanding and upgrading four elementary schools — JR Wilcox, Cedarvale, Rawlinson and Humewood.
The vote followed months of meetings, known cumulatively as an Accommodation Review Committee or ARC, looking at how to tackle enrolment and space issues in that cluster of schools.
Fraser, who has a son graduating from Arlington and a daughter at nearby Humewood, fought for alternatives to closures.
“After my deputation to move (Arlington) into a sports school there was a healthy discussion,” she said. “(Then) they all voted to close Arlington except (trustee) Ms. Maria Rodrigues.”
The plan is to close Arlington by September 2011.

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TDSB to close 8 schools

Arlington MS among eight sites to shut
Board also approved improvements for local sites
Plus Davisville’s possible redevelopment discussed in Jan
By Kris Scheuer
(Written June 24 for Town Crier. Revised June 25.)

TDSB voted June 23 to close eight schools. File pic.

The TDSB voted last night to close eight schools, including Arlington MS.
McCowan Rd, Pringdale Gardens, Heron Park, Peter Secor, Silverthorn Jr., Brooks Rd and Kent Sr schools will also close starting in 2011, saving the board about $2 million a year in operating funds.
Plus, the board will save millions more in capital repairs and upgrades, trustee Josh Matlow said.

Arlington school could close

Committee targets Arlington middle school for closure
Five local schools to become four if board approves recommendation
By Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier April 28.)

Arlington Middle School is recommended for closure.

Five local schools are half empty,  one will close, but which one should it be?
An accommodation review committee report has recommended that Arlington Middle School be shut down while JR Wilcox, Cedarvale, Rawlinson, Humewood elementary schools all expand from grades 6 to 8.
Board staff will make its own recommendations and trustees will vote on this issue at the end of June.
Meanwhile, Arlington school council chair Robin Fraser is pushing everyone to rethink their decision.
“My person opinion, I am little confused about the recommendation because Arlington has the best facility,” said Fraser, who has a son at the school. “It has a larger gym, auditorium, a lunch room, science labs, a music room.”
It’s also right on Cedarvale park with a baseball diamond, soccer and football fields and a ravine, she added.
Her solution is to keep the 1971-built Arlington and close 90-year-old JR Wilcox instead.