---
title: "OCDSB plans to move south-end students to Goulbourn as Richmond Public School hits 145 per cent capacity"
description: "The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board held a public meeting Thursday on a plan to send junior kindergarten to Grade 3 French immersion students from Richmond to a school 7 kilometres away."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/news/ocdsb-richmond-school-redistribution-november-2026"
last_updated: "2026-11-14T15:57:48.968Z"
---

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board held a public meeting Thursday night on a plan to ease overcrowding at Richmond Public School in Ottawa's south end, which is now operating at 145 per cent of its designed capacity, CBC reported.

The proposal would move junior kindergarten to Grade 3 early French immersion students in the Richmond area to Goulbourn Middle School, 7 kilometres away. The boundary review would also make changes at A. Lorne Cassidy Elementary School and Westwind Public School.

## Why the board says it must act

Board CEO Stacey Kay told parents at South Carleton High School on Thursday that Richmond Public School has reached a "breaking point" because residential growth in the area has outpaced the school's capacity. The school is at 145 per cent of its designed space.

Under the proposal, Goulbourn Middle School would become a junior kindergarten to Grade 8 facility. The board has set aside $1.5 million for retrofitting, to begin in January 2027. The work would add fencing, a bus loop, classroom updates and a play structure for younger children.

## What parents said

Parents at the meeting raised two main concerns: the 7-kilometre distance for young children, and what they described as a lack of long-term planning. Parent Alicia Markell, quoted by CBC, said the plan has "no long-term plan. There is no project management aspect." Parent Mike Moreland cited "overcrowding, concerns about the infrastructure, the absolute chaos and devastation."

OCDSB supervisor Bob Plamondon, who was appointed by the province in 2025, addressed the concerns. He said the board is looking at phased-in implementation, keeping transportation running, allowing exemptions and letting younger children attend the same school as an older sibling.

## What comes next

The final day for public comments is **November 19, 2026**. After that, the board plans to release a staff recommendation report in December, with a final decision by supervisor Plamondon in January 2027. If the plan is approved, the changes would take effect in September 2027.

Parents can submit feedback through the OCDSB's website before November 19. The board's decision in January will be the last step before any school moves.

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