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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09i Delegation Paul Boivin and Bill Filleter re Elgin St PS ClosureTo: Trustees of the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board From: The Elgin Street Parents Council Re: A Proposal with respect to the Closure of Elgin Street School This note proposes the following: That -based upon serious questions and issues raised by interested parties respecting the staff projections in the Board Staff Report, fewer than 9 downtown schools need to be closed. 2. That in view of these questions, a preferable solution would be to close fewer than 9 downtown schools. 3. That there is sufficient concrete and prospective evidence to suggest that in the Elgin Catchment area, the Board Staff report forecast of school -age population is not reliable and as a result, it would be reasonable to suggest that the Board not rely on it when recommending closure. 4. That due to this lack of rAiability, any closure of Elgin School should be delayed for at least 2 years in order that the school -age population and demographic 1996 forecasts and the future 2000 demographic forecast can be properly evaluated. 5. That a motion be presented to the Board for at least a 2 year delay in respect of the Elgin Street closure, and 6. That a further motion be presented to the Board for amendments to the Board Designated School/Student Transfer Policy to facilitate an increase in enrolment in Elgin Street School, due to both its unique geographic location (which makes it different from any other school slated for closure) in the immediate downtown Ottawa area and due to its physical features and facilities. The following comments and attachments provide support for the above items: 1. Additional information forwarded to the Board by the Joint Parents' Councils of the Schools slated for closure, raised sufficient fundamental questions respecting it the Board Staff Report so as to suggest that the report does not provide a reasonable basis for the closure of 9 downtown schools; 2. The current business indicators as noted in the letters of Ottawa Business Executors and provided to the Board a few days ago, suggest growth in downtown areas such as the Elgin Catchmen area and this growth appears to suggest that the 1996 demographic figures are outdated (this is exemplified by the attached letter by Mr. Larry Hartman; President, Hartman's Your Independent Grocer). 3. There is a risk involved in closing schools prematurely and this is particularly the case in respect of Elgin. Current information demonstrates that the demographic projections in the Elgin area will be up and any short-term pain suffered by the closure of Elgin will in fact be transformed into long term over crowding in the remaining downtown schools. (This is in part exemplified by anecdotal evidence as set out in the Pre - School Follow -Up Survey attached). 4. As demonstrated by the enclosed Note setting out the unique features of Elgin Street School, the building is in good repair and its geographical location and the high tech facilities available, enable it to be a destination school for parents who wish to bring their children to a school of choice while working downtown (The recent enclosed editorial in the Ottawa Citizen dated October 19'' confirms this point when it notes that "more people are agreeing that choice is a necessity "). 5. There are innovative solutions available such as the BYKE program respecting Elgin Street School, which would increase the Elgin enrolment by utilising an amended board policy respecting Designated Schools /Student Transfers. (A press release respecting this BYKE program is enclosed and the program is scheduled to commence in 2 weeks for the next school year). The Elgin Street Parents Council would appreciate your consideration of these proposals prior to any decision to close Elgin Street Public School. The Elgin Street Parents Council Elgin Street Public School 1. Elgin Street School in excellent structural and resource shape ■ Modem building constructed in 1954, and renovated, with gym and library added, in 1974. ■ New boiler for heating system and new tar and gravel roof. • Large well- stocked library and new computer lab. ■ Large treed yard. ■ Skating rink in winter and baseball and soccer pitch in summer shared with Jack Purcell Community Centre and the City maintains all costs for upkeep. 2. The Unique Elgin Street P.S. - Business Connection • Ottawa has been named a "Wired Capital" and is forging ahead with corporate and community alliances. • Tech. businesses are locating and relocating downtown. ■ Elgin is the only elementary school in the entire region physically situated in the heart of the business district. ■ It is the only elementary school in the region on the fibre optic network grid. Fibre - optic connections, in the form of T1 lines to the Internet are 10 times faster than any service available to the general public. They are available downtown in the business district. These connections are essential if school /corporate partnerships are to happen. Elgin is in the unique position to make such a partnership for on -line course delivery for text or aural courses putting Elgin St. Public School at the forefront of early childhood computer education in North America. ■ Elgin Street Public School and The Jack Purcell Community Centre enjoy an integrated partnership with many city- funded features that offer enormous opportunities. Businesses in the core are interested in classrooms,gym, rink, and baseball diamond for training and recreation for their employees. 3. Elgin shifts BYKE program into high gear • Brina Your Kid to Elgin -a program to facilitate workers in the core bringing their children with them to work, and having them go to Elgin Street Public School. • Makes it easy for workers in the downtown core who are residents of the suburbs to maximize quality time with their children (as much as 1 112 hours a day extra with their children, as many have 3/4 hour commutes). • Offers great pre- and post- school daycare through the partnership with the Jack Purcell Community Centre and the Central YMCA. ■ Encourages further school/business partnering. • Helps alleviate some of the pressure on overcrowded schools in the suburbs. • 5 blocks from the new City Hall for the amalgamated region, and within walking distance of the Parliament Buildings and museums. • Goal of 40 students for March 1, 2001 and another 40 for Marchl, 2002. 4. School Excellence ■ Integral part of the community since 1890. ■ Multicultural, ethnically rich with 43 countries of origin represented. ■ School population example of successful integration of wide economic backgrounds. ■ A success story for French Immersion. • Has Lisgar senior students as tutors for reading, and special needs. • Many parent and community volunteers. a New BYKE Program for Elgin Street School in Ottawa The success of the Kanata Research Park Family Centre, originally put forward by Trustee Patty Anne Hill, proves that parents welcome the opportunity to bring their children with them as they head to work, dropping them off at school on the way. And, what better place for parents working downtown to bring their children than Elgin Street Public School? With its large, treed green space — offering soccer and football fields, a baseball diamond and skating rink, access to Jack Purcell Community Centre facilities, pre /post school hours' day care, all within walking distance of museums, the NAC, and the Parliament Buildings - Elgin offers a terrific option for children currently attending overcrowded suburban schools. Marina MacLean couldn't agree more: "Having my son, Christopher, at Elgin Street School, close to where I work, allows me to be much more involved in his daily life than if he were attending school where we live in the suburbs. I am able to attend his classroom presentations, become more involved with his school activities and even have lunch with him when possible." This is a win -win situation for parents and kids alike, providing working parents with opportunities to participate in and enjoy their children's activities, without taking them away from the office for extended periods of time. Elgin Street Public School is fundamental to maintaining the family orientation of Ottawa's downtown core. "As our City grows, we need a vital Core to anchor it. We need to keep people living downtown Communities need families and families need schools." says Susan Glass who brings her daughter, Sarah, to Elgin Street Public School. With the RMOC, the City of Ottawa, the Board of Trade, and leaders in the high tech community all opposed to the School Board recommendations, it is clear that we must find new and innovative ways to maximize our education resources. Further information on BYKE: Sharon Chartier, Elgin Hotline 230 -3113 Mr. J. Libbey Chairperson Ottawa - Carleton District School Board 133 Greenbank Road Nepean, ON K2H 6L3 Dear Mr. Libbey; My name is Larry Hartman and I am the President of Hartman's Your Independent Grocer, 296 Bank Street in Centretown. We have been the primary suppliers of groceries and specialty products to the residents of Centretown for the past 65 years. I have, over the last several months, seen numerous reports of School Board planners projecting a decrease in population in the coming years, in the region of Centretown. I feel compelled to contact you at this time, as I believe that the data the Board is working with is dangerously flawed. I, in my capacity as a grocery storeowner, have been watching my business, the business of feeding people, grow every year. In fact, in the last 3 years, the growth in the business has been unprecedented. This year, to satisfy the need for food downtown, we have taken the necessary step of purchasing the entire Somerset Theatre building and all its property. We have been forced to double the floor space of Hartman's Your Independent Grocer to accommodate all the new residents of the downtown core. We have tripled the size of the baby food and baby products section. We have done our research, and I assure you that this expansion is not a business gamble on our part - this is a sure thing. We see the large increase in residents every day, because we feed them. I am aware that you and the trustees are hours away from closing 9 schools. If you are basing critical decisions on the Board population projections, then I am afraid you will be making a terrible and irreversible mistake. Sincerely yours, Larry Hartman President, Hartman's Your Independent Grocer cc. all trustees 7 I ELGIN STREET PRE- SCHOOL SURVEY FOLLOW -UP ■ This unofficial survey of 63% of Golden Triangle substantiates growth for the neighbourhood. ■ In the Year 2000 there was a significant increase in babies being born to Golden Triangle residents. ■ A total of 17 infants, double from the year before, were found in that small area. The majority of respondents with these new babies are homeowners (15) and therefore would be expected to remain in the area for the foreseeable future. ■ When the hard data is interpolated, the total number of pre - school children in the golden Triangle is around 76, substantially higher than projected. In early September a survey to gain demographic information was distributed in the Golden Triangle neighbourhood. The target group consisted of those in the Golden Triangle with pre - schoolers and those planning to have children in the near future. The results of that survey were presented to the School Board Trustees on September 28, 2000. After the Board presentation the view was expressed that further, more detailed, information on this subject was required by School Board Trustees to aid in their decision with regard to the future of Elgin Street Public School. A second survey was completed, based upon the data from the first, in order that the Board members would have a means to confirm the data. Enclosed is a spreadsheet containing the names, addresses and telephone numbers of 48 children who reside in approximately 63% of the Golden Triangle (Census Tract 049), in the area between Elgin St, Lisgar St to the north and the Canal. Where known, we have included whether the parents are homeowners or renters. The 1996 census showed a total of 50 children (04 years) within Census Tract CT049. For 63% of the same area, the attached 2000 data found 48 children. These results should not be viewed as equivalent. The 1996 census was official and as a result, would likely be considered to be relatively complete and comprehensive. On the other hand the 2000 data was developed through an unofficial, survey obtained by a limited number of people with no official capacity or authority to gather the information. As the information provided was completely voluntary the data is necessarily incomplete in that not every potential future Elgin St student is included in the data. This group surveyed only 63 % of the Golden Triangle with absolute thoroughness. Given the findings of the unofficial survey, an official census survey can only result in a greater number of future students, than the 50 in the 1996 census and more likely a greater number, by at least one -half. This is especially the case since no apartment buildings in the Golden Triangle were included in the survey. In addition, in the original survey at least 16 Golden Triangle residents were identified as having the express intention to either have children or have more children within the next three years. All parents in the first survey stated that Elgin Street was their first choice for primary education. EDITORIAL Three questions for the school board is a small wonder that so many candidates would step forward in Ottawa for the chance to be on the board of education. The pay is paltry: $5,000 a year. The meetings go on forever. And the province's tough financial regimen means that trustees must make hard decisions and have irate parents speak unkindly to them. If these candidates have the democ- ratic spirit to run for office, the least we citizens can do is ask them some meaningful questions. There are at least three things voters should ask school -board candidates. First, how will they handle the fi- nancial decisions? The immediate sword over the public board in Ot- tawa is the recommended closure of nine schools, which will free up $3 million in operating costs and tens of millions of dollars from the province for building schools in our growing suburbs. To categorically refuse to consid- er closing any schools is a useless approach that only feeds the provin- cial government's suspicion that school boards are wasteful. It will not wash, especially when the school board's own staff agree with the Ministry of Education that there is excess space in Ottawa schools. On the other hand, it is useful to press the board to sell vacant prop- erties, as many parents have re- cently done. Also useful are exam- ples in our school system of where the Ministry of Education's iron- clad rules may not be working. MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2000 The Harris haters can say all they want about the Ontario govern- ment, but it's plain wrong to say that the government won't listen, or change its mind. The govern- ment wouldn't fund a lithotripter for kidney stones in Ottawa a year ago. It changed its mind. The gov- ernment wouldn't allow payment of gtoo,000 to the families of the OC Transpo drivers who were shot dead last year. The government changed its mind. The Ministry of Education has already made changes to financing rules for schools. More changes can be made, but trustees must have facts, real situations they can show, and solid arguments to build their case. A second question is whether can- didates support school choice. The momentum is growing for opening up the school system so that families, not bureaucrats, can decide which schools their children attend. While some candidates still worry about the possible inequality of a freewheel- ing, open school system, more people are agreeing that choice is a necessity. Even the staunchest defenders of public education note the alarming exit of more and more families from the public system to remarkably suc- cessful private schools. Many fami- lies will do whatever is necessary to get their children the education they want, whether it's a school that is fo- cused on the arts, sports or technolo- gy. If these families leave the public system, the case for strong govern- ment support of public schools will be greatly weakened. A third question is how to do things outside the board box. The public board has a formidable bu- reaucracy, fed in part by trustees who routinely ask for more batches of reports. It's a little disconcerting to hear how a simple plan to mar- ket Elgin Street Public School — so that suburban parents working downtown can drop off their chil- dren at the school and thereby help fill vacant school space downtown — did not fly with an indifferent board. It's frustrating to hear board chairman Jim I.ibbey acknowledge that the board has dropped the ball on a timely sale of the old Ottawa Board of Education headquarters on Gilmour Street. We need reasonable, energetic trustees who have good ideas. I ?ven if the pay is lousy. A"