Community meeting held to address Elizabeth Ziegler Public School closure

A community meeting was held Wednesday night for the families affected by the Elizabeth Ziegler Public School closure.

The Moore Avenue building closed on March 3 due to structural concerns. The Waterloo Region District School Board said an engineering firm was brought in to assess the façade, who estimated that it could take several months to make repairs.

It was then decided Elizabeth Ziegler Public School would remain closed for the rest of the school year.

On Monday, students picked up Chromebooks and iPads for remote learning.

The school board also shared more on their plan for in-person classes. Most students, and the extended day program, will move into the 12 portables on the school grounds, while French Immersion students will be bused to Sandowne Public School. They are expected to return for in-person learning on April 1.

Students in the Congregated Alternative Continuum of Education (ACE) program, meanwhile, will be bused to JW Gerth Public School. Their estimated return for in-person learning is currently set for March 21.

Community meeting

The Waterloo Region District School Board held a community meeting Wednesday night, and more than 100 people showed up at McGregor Public School to discuss the plan.

Scott Miller, the board’s director of education, said there will more clarity once the engineering firm shares their report.

“We’re expecting something by the end of the week, a final report to us as a school board, and from there we’ll want to go through it be able to get something to the community, or some initial communications by early next week,” he told CTV News.

A 2024 report, from the Financial Accountability Office, indicated 55 schools within the Waterloo Region District School Board were below a state of good repair. It’s not known if Elizabeth Ziegler Public School, which was built in 1931, is on that list.

Some parents had hoped provincial representatives would also be at the meeting to answer questions.

“We’re very disappointed that the Ministry of Education wasn’t represented here at all because we understand that a lot of questions need to be answered on [their side] of things, in terms of the bigger picture and how many other schools may be the same situation as us if we don’t do something about it.”

- With reporting by Krista Simpson