The decision to determine the fate of five north Simcoe high schools has

been delayed until Mon., June 22.

The Simcoe County District School Board was scheduled to make a final

decision on an accommodation review committee process involving Elmvale

District High School, Collingwood Collegiate Institute, Midland Secondary

School, Penetanguishene Secondary School and Stayner Collegiate Institute.

A decision could have meant the closure of Elmvale District H.S., Stayner

Collegiate or Penetang S.S.

Trustees voted to continue Wednesday night’s board meeting Monday after

other items on the agenda ran until about 11 p.m., five hours after the

start of the meeting.

The decision to delay the vote was met with a few boos and shouts of

displeasure from a large crowd of parents, students and school supporters

that were at the Midhurst education centre to lobby trustees. Many were

carrying signs and wearing t-shirts supporting their respective schools.

Trustee Brad Saunders said the decision on those schools was too important

to be made that late at night and that trustees were likely too tired to

give the issue proper discussion and consideration.

That seemed to please some in attendance, but others questioned why the

board didn’t push the ARC to the top of the agenda.

Earlier in the meeting, two notices of motion to close Stayner Collegiate

and Penetanguishene S.S. were withdrawn. Trustee Deb Edwards had moved

notices of motion to close those schools at previous board meetings.

In addition to the north Simcoe ARC, an ARC for Orillia area high schools

and passing the board’s budget were also on the agenda.