Fight continues to keep Oxford-on-Rideau open permanently

Parents of Oxford-on-Rideau Public School students are continuing the fight to get the school off the closure list. The Upper Canada District School Board trustees made the decision to close the school in March of 2017, as part of the pupil accommodation review process. 

Oxford was originally slated to close in 2019, but that was pushed back to June 2021. The board announced at the end of January that the closure has been postponed again, with a new closure date of June 30, 2022. 

Jennifer Monk, Parent Council Co-Chair, says Oxford SOS (Save Our School) is alive and well. She noted the group will continue to advocate for the school to remain open permanently until the day the doors are locked for good. 

Monk explained Oxford is a special school because it’s small and rural. She says it feels like one big family and everyone works together like a well-oiled machine. 

Monk noted with the growing number of people moving to North Grenville, it doesn’t make sense to close Oxford. She explained it’s all about money and politics when it should be about education and what’s best for children. Monk says it’s a shame because Oxford is a viable option to deal with capacity issues at other local schools. 

Future meetings are in the works for Oxford SOS, with plans to reach out to politicians and trustees for support.