MONTREAL - The English Montreal School Board has proposed a complicated set of school swaps that could become part of an upcoming package of school closures.

The EMSB recommended a sweeping set of changes that would affect 20 schools. Among the key recommendations:

  • Students from the James Lyng High would be transferred to Royal Vale Academy.
  • Royal Vale elementary students would be put into Hampstead School.
  • High school students from Royal Vale would be transferred to the old Wagar High School.

The 256-page report from the long-term planning committee came as a surprise to Albert Perez, who represents the board in the Royal Vale area.

Solid plans to mothball an EMSB school could be on the agenda for the upcoming Wednesday night commission meeting.

"The majority of commissioners are looking at school closures," said EMSB Chair Angela Mancini.

The EMSB has seen enrolment decline by 800 this year and roughly a dozen schools have an enrollment of 200 students or fewer. That is the threshold the board uses when deciding whether to close a school.