People packed a special meeting of the Bluewater District School Board Wednesday night to provide input into the fate of Owen Sound schools.
There were 19 presenters at the meeting as part of the board's accommodation review process.
It proposed four elementary schools close; Derby, Bayview, Sydenham and Dufferin. The proposal to convert OSCVI to an elementary school and have all high school students go to West Hill is meeting with plenty of opposition.
James Sebeda is a retired OSCVI teacher and says the school has a long history.
"160 years -- it's older than Canada for God's sake and really we have to take that into account when you're talking about supporting a great, cultural, historic, educational institute like OSCVI," said Sebeda.
Kimberley Love has a daughter at OSCVI and says converting the school sends the wrong message about the health of the community.
"It's not a statement of faith in our community. I think two high schools is going to create maximum flexibility and allow us to grow our numbers," she says.
Meanwhile, the proposal to close OSCVI as a high school is not sitting well with many of its students.
Student Council President Kersti Landra was one of the presenters at the meeting and says many students are worried.
"I'm graduating and I'm going on to university but I know many friends that aren't. They're not sure what's going on and the fact that it's happening can be very stressful and nerve wracking," says Landra.
Bluewater Board trustees are to make a final decision on the accommodation review proposals April 19.
Meanwhile, the Bluewater Board has approved recommendations for the future of Meaford's schools.
The board approved the accommodation review suggestions to seek funding for a new Kindergarten to Grade 12 school to meet future needs in the region
In the meantime, Grades 4 - 8 would attend Georgian Bay Secondary School next year, while JK to Grade 3 would go to St. Vincent Euphrasia Elementary School. The Meaford Community School will close this June 30.
Board staff will work with stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition for students and their families.
