Hamilton trustees toss a ‘Hail Mary’ plea into Collegiate Avenue School rebuild plans

Hamilton’s public school board will make one last “Hail Mary” appeal for funding to rebuild Collegiate Avenue School before proceeding with a $6-million addition approved by the province in June.

Deadlocked once again after more than an hour of debate on Monday, trustees finally supported a suggestion by chair Todd White to ask the Ministry of Education if the board can “park” the $6 million and reapply for full funding for a new school. If the ministry doesn’t give permission in writing by the end of January, the board will proceed with the addition.

“If we want to try that 11th-hour, Hail Mary, sure, let’s give it a shot,” White said. “If they don’t give us that opportunity, then we can see pretty clearly that we may not be able to go in that direction.”

White said rebuilding Collegiate — part of a plan to close Green Acres and R.L. Hyslop schools — is the “optimal choice,” but the board needs to move forward on promised renewal one way or another.

Trustees have been split on how to proceed since October, when they referred the issue to their finance and facilities committee.

The impasse continued on Monday despite the committee’s recommendation to build the addition provided it can remain on budget and to spend another $4.35 million on other school upgrades.

Stoney Creek trustee Jeff Beattie said he didn’t support the recommendation to proceed with the addition because he hadn’t had a chance to “thoroughly engage” the affected communities. He said a 6 p.m. session at Collegiate Thursday will provide that opportunity.