NIAGARA CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Niagara Catholic receives $5 million to consolidate Monsignor Clancy, St. Charles Catholic Elementary Schools

Niagara Catholic is pleased to announce the Ministry of Education has provided more than $5 million infunding to consolidate St. Charles and Monsignor Clancy Catholic Elementary Schools in Thorold.

Currently, Catholic elementary school students in Thorold attend St. Charles Catholic Elementary Schoolfrom Kindergarten through Grade 4, and move over to Monsignor Clancy Catholic Elementary School forGrades 5-8.

"Following a transparent and engaging Pupil Accommodation Review with families and staff at St. Charlesand Monsignor Clancy Catholic Elementary Schools, a decision was made by the Board last June to consolidate the two schools at the Monsignor Clancy site, pending Niagara Catholic securing funding fromthe Province for the consolidation," said Director of Education John Crocco. "This funding announcementof just over $5 million, which includes nearly $3.5 million for an additional 104 pupil spaces at MonsignorClancy and a little more than $1.5 million for three new child care rooms, allows us to bring both Catholicelementary schools in Thorold together under one roof. We are very grateful to the Province for thefunding, and we look forward to the design and construction phase, towards a fall of 2020 opening."

The Ministry of Education received more than 250 requests for capital school funding.

Board Chair Father Paul MacNeil congratulated the families and staff who worked diligently to build astrong case for a unified school in Thorold.

"There have been two Catholic schools in Thorold for more than 50 years, and generations have grownup moving from St. Charles Catholic over to Monsignor Clancy Catholic, so we anticipated questions aboutchanging the educational landscape in the community," said Chair MacNeil. "Our staff worked tirelesslyto ensure that families had the opportunity to ask questions and provide input throughout the PupilAccommodation Review Process. On behalf of the Board, I congratulate families and staff for theircollaborative work in making this consolidation a reality. I also thank the Province for providing thisfunding to Niagara Catholic."

With the funding secured, Niagara Catholic's Facilities Services Department will begin the process to selectan architect for the project. A ground breaking celebration will take place after the construction tender isaward. It is expected that the expanded school will open in autumn, 2020.