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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 Report 99-005 Attendance Boundary/Area Review.School Closure Study - Staff's Recommendations and Revised TimelinesOttawa - Carleton District School Board 21 December 1998 Report No. 99 -005 to Board Re: Attendance Boundary/Area Review /School Closure Study - Staff s Recommendations and Revised Timelines ORIGINATOR: Rose -Marie Batley, Superintendent, Facilities and Physical Planning Michael Carson, Manager, Facilities/ Planning /Transportation Estelle Butler, Planner Phil Dawes, Planner Marc Labelle, Planner Janet Sauriol, Planner Mark Smith, Planner Ian Baxter, Planning Technician Diana Dolezal, Planning Technician Wendy Norton, Planning Technician PURPOSE: 1. To seek Board approval of staff's recommendations regarding a revised timeline and process for the Attendance Boundary /Area Review /School Closure Study. BACKGROUND: On 24 November 1998, staff submitted a report to the Committee of the Whole detailing staff's recommended options regarding proposed school closures for September 1999. Since that report, staff has provided Trustees with four (4) supplementary information packages (dated December 1, 3, 10 and 18), several memoranda containing specific information and /or responses to questions, a chronology of information previously provided to Trustees and Community Working Groups and a proposal to revise the timelines and process for the study by extending the date for finaldecisions to the end of February 1999. 4. As noted in our memorandum to Trustees dated 10 December 1998, while it is true that the recent announcement from the Minister of Education diminished the urgency to identify "closed" facilities by 31 December 1998, the closure of schools for September 1999 implementation will begin to reduce the Board's surplus capacity and rationalize space to ensure that future educational facility requirements for growth areas are met. This reduction in the Board's portfolio of properties will allow for better use of plant resources in order to provide safe, clean learning environments. rN 5. In the 10 December 1998 memorandum, staff noted that minimizing disruption to students was a significant factor in determining potential schools for closure in the first phase of the process. The ten (10) schools identified by staff for closure for September 1999 represented less than 3% of the total student population and addresses 45% of the excess capacity in the OCDSB. As such, staff believes that the identification of these schools would cause the least amount of disruption to the fewest number of students who should only experience one move caused by school closures. The closure of the ten (10) sites identified by staff in the first phase would potentially allow the Board to be eligible for new pupil place grants (NPPG) within the next 3 -5 years at the elementary level. Additional secondary schools, over and above McArthur and Confederation, would need to be closed in order to receive significant grants at the secondary level. It should be highlighted that the reduction of excess capacity does not address the needs of over 7,000 students currently housed in portable classrooms. This can only be met if an equivalent amount of permanent space is eliminated. A decision not to close any schools for September 1999 would make it much more difficult to reduce operating and maintenance costs. The 10 December 1998 memorandum indicated that extending the 21 December 1998 deadline for making final decisions with respect to school closures for September 1999 will allow staff to address additional concerns expressed by Trustees and the public yet be in compliance with the Ministry of Education and Training requirements and the Board's policies and procedures. For example, staff will be able to: *bring to Trustees for decisions in January, policies /procedures on Designated School /Transfers, Transportation Entitlements, and Accommodation Guidelines; •provide recommendations regarding Program Accommodation Review (Secondary and Special Education decisions slated for 27 January 1999); •provide details on the "home schools" for students in the ten (10) sites closed and the relocation sites for Special Education students and information on where other programs will be made available for the students in these ten (10) sites; •finalize attendance boundaries in January for community consultation in January; •give more opportunity to the schools affected to respond to staff's relocation proposals. 10. Regardless of the Board's decision, it is imperative that issues regarding outstanding boundaries for Planning Area 10 (Kanata), Planning Area 1 (re: the opening of the new Cumberland E.S. September 1999) and Confederation H.S. (re: the opening of John McCrae S.S. September 1999) be addressed as part of Phase I of this process. F] STATUS: 11. Staff recognizes that some schools, have in the past, been able to accommodate uses other than day school education programs. (i.e., day care operations, after school programs, interest courses, community uses, etc.). The OCDSB and its predecessors strongly supported these initiatives. They enrich opportunities for our students and they add value to the communities. When school boards could generate revenue through taxes, trustees had more latitude in decisions around these activities. This is no longer the case and the Provinicial funding model does not provide for these types of uses. In order to maintain the support school boards have provided to these groups, other sources of funds would have to be found (i.e., boards may need to look at reciprocal/ lease agreements with these parties that result in full cost recovery including a capital component). 12. Staff recognizes that there are Trustees and members of the public who believe that additional time and information is required in order to make a knowledgeable decision regarding schools to be closed for implementation September 1999. The Ministry of Education and Training's change to the final 31 December 1998 deadline will allow staff the opportunity to provide additional information and further clarification regarding details on the "home schools" for students in the ten (10) sites identified for closure for September 1999, the relocation of students in specialized programs, and final attendance boundaries provided that an extension to Phase I of the process is approved by Trustees. In addition, an extension to Phase I of the process will provide more opportunity for the schools affected to respond to staff's relocation and revised attendance boundary proposals and would be consistent with Board approved Policy P.013.PLG. It is important to understand that there is always an emotional element associated with school closures. No amount of data provided to individuals can address this aspect of school closures. 13. Elementary Panel: It is staff's opinion that extending Phase I of the process to 22 February 1999, for a final decision on elementary school closures for implementation September 1999, would allow additional time for staff to: •provide details regarding revised attendance boundaries; *provide details regarding the relocation sites for Special Education students; -provide details regarding the "home schools" for students in the ten (10) sites closed; • examine suitable relocation options for day cares and other organizations currently occupying space within the ten (10) sites identified; and *meet with school councils and school staff to discuss revised attendance boundaries as a result of the schools approved for closure. JD 14. Secondary Panel: In terms of the secondary panel, staff believes that an extension to Phase I of the process to 22 February 1999 would be prudent for decisions pertaining to McArthur H.S. but may not be applicable to decisions surrounding Confederation H.S. for the following reasons: Confederation H.S.: In accordance with the decisions approved in the 1994 Nepean Secondary School Space Study, students residing in the Barrhaven area (including Heart's Desire and rural Nepean areas within the Confederation H.S. attendance boundary), would be directed to John McCrae S.S. for September 1999. The remaining students have been given the option over the last several years to attend either Confederation H.S. or their "newly" designated secondary school in accordance with the approved attendance boundaries from the Nepean Secondary School Space Study. In addition, there are 60 students currently attending Confederation H.S. in the High Performance Athlete program. This group of students should be moved as a unit to another school. The final decision regarding the relocation of the students in this program is subject to further review however, a logical relocation site for these students would be to John McCrae S.S. It is located adjacent to the Walter Baker Centre, and the Nepean Sportsplex would still be within a reasonable travelling distance. Once the students residing in the Barrhaven area are directed to John McCrae S.S. for September 1999, there will be approximately 130 students remaining at Confederation H.S. While there are obvious cost implications associated with trying to operate a secondary school with less than 200 students, there are also problems encountered in trying to provide sufficient options and programs for such a few number of students. It should be noted that the utilization factor at Confederation H.S., once John McCrae S.S. is operational, would be less than 20 %. As such, staff believes that a decision to reaffirm the former Carleton Board of Education's approval to close Confederation H.S. can be made on 21 December 1998 without jeopardizing Phase I of this process. (See Appendix A attached for details.) McArthur H.S.: Although staff believes that a number of the McArthur basic level education students can be redirected to Sir Guy Carleton S.S., there are a number of specialized programs at McArthur H.S. that require further review with the Special Education and Student Services Department staff to ensure that the most suitable location is determined based on the individual needs of the students. Concerns about the location of Sir Guy Carleton S.S. and the distances to be travelled have been raised. Currently, the longest distances from which students travel to Sir Guy Carleton S.S. are 53 km (West Carleton), 49 km (Rideau), 47 km (Osgoode) and 45 km (Cumberland). The longest distance students currently at McArthur H.S. would have to travel to Sir Guy Carleton S.S. would be 43 km. The current utilization factor for Sir Guy Carleton S.S. using an estimated 1998/99 ADE is approximately 61 %; for McArthur H.S. the utilization factor, using an estimated 1998/99 ADE is approximately 32 %. While all schools tend to make use of any space available, there is a difference between this type of space and space that is required or funded for use. 15. It should be noted that an extension to Phase I of the process to 22 February 1999 will (W have implications on staff's budget recommendations. The extension does not preclude bringing forward a recommended budget. Instead, options would be created for Trustees consideration. RECOMMENDATIONS: A. That Trustees reaffirm the former Carleton Board of Education's decision to close Confederation H.S. for September 1999. B. That Phase I of the process for the Attendance Boundary/Area Review /School Closure Study be revised to include the remaining nine (9) school sites with timelines in accordance with Appendix B attached resulting in a final decision to close schools for implementation September 1999 being made on 22 February 1999. C. That staff be directed to bring back to Board for approval, a revised Phase II for the Attendance Boundary/Area Review /School Closure Study process. James P. Grieve Director of Education/ Secretary of the Board Rose -Marie Batley Superintendent of Facilities Physical Planning " ARLETON BOARD OF EDUCATION APPENDIX A SUBJECT FILE REF: 120 -8 CROSS REF: Received by Board Minute: Date: EXCERPT from the Minutes of the Board of Education Report Number: Date: 13 November 1995 306. Report No 12 Central Services Committee (Special), 30 October 1995 On a motion by Trustee Burnett, seconded by Trustee MacGregor, the Board received Report No. 12, Central Services Committee, dated 30 October 1995 (reference agenda item No. 9). Trustee Burnett presented the report and seconded the recommendations therein, viz: a ) Proposed Closure of Confederation High School (Motion by Trustee MacGregor) THAT the Board approve the closure of Confederation High School for regular day school purposes, effective upon the opening of the new Barrhaven Secondary School. Trustee Ridout questioned the process for funding of adult day programs. The Director noted that, given the lack of information on capital grants, a decision has not yet been made on the future use of Confederation H.S. When this information is available, the item will be brought back to the Board, and detailed information on funding for adult day programs will be provided. b) Disposition of Ramsavville Public School (Motion by Trustee MacGregor, substituting for mover in Committee) THAT staff be directed to undertake all necessary measures to declare Ramsayville Public School dosed for regular day school purposes and the facility surplus to the needs to the Board, effective upon the opening of the Sawmill Creek facility. The motion includes an amendment by Trustee Morse, accepted by the mover and seconder, that the measures would be taken upon the opening of the replacement facility. Staff noted that no undue delay or detrimental effect on the process would occur if the motion included this additional phrase. The report was received and the recommendations were adopted by the Board. Chairman's Committee -1- 25 October 1995 Ottawa- Carleton District School Board APPENDIX B o' Attendance Boundary/Area Review /School Closure Study - Revised Timeline DATE ACTIVITY PHASE 1: IMPLEMENTATION FOR SEPTEMBER 1999 ovember 3;1998- :Committee of the Whole: Presentation of CWG Options ove»rber1", 998 Committee of the Whole: Presentation of CWG Options ovember10,,1998 .d Committee of the Whole: Presentation of CWG Options November9 - 20,1998 Staffs examination of CWG submissions and development of potential a options for submission to Committee of the Whole; in particular addressing outstanding issues for Planning Area 10 (Kanata) and addressing issues related to Planninz Areal (opening of new Cumberland E.S.) [Nov ember23,1998_ Report to Board re: Revised Attendance Boundary /Area Review /School I Closure Study Process and Timelines November24,1998 Articulation with School Principals /Vice - Principals, Unions and Administrative and Support Managers re: preliminary school closure list and attendance boundary changes for implementation September 1999 'J"nber24 1998 Committee of the Whole: Presentation of staff's options for implementation September 1999 (Elimination of 26 November 1998 date) ecember 1, 1998 & Committee of the Whole: Response to staffs recommendations ecember 8,1998 re: school closures for September 1999. Additional feedback from the public on staffs recommendations can be received on 10 December 1998 with the option of retaining 17 December 1998 to receive additional feedback if required. xember 10, 1998 xember 21, 1998 irly January 1999 nuary 1999 nuary 11 -21, 1999 the Whole: Deliberation of Staff's Recommendations Board Meeting: Decisions re staffs recommendations on school and attendance boundary review for September 1999 imvlemen of Board reaffirmation of closure of Confederation HS Review for September 1999 for Kanata liaison with school councils and Principals re: potential attendance daries for the redirection of students from closed sites. Physical Planning /Revised 18 December 1998 I. Ottawa - Carleton District School Board APPENDIX B Attendance Boundary /Area Review /School Closure Study - Revised Timeline DATE ACTIVITY January 14, 1999 Consultation with Program, Quality Assurance and Development department and Special Education and Student Services department re: relocation of students in specialized programs. ' January 25, 1999 Board approval of Policies /Procedures re: Designated School and Transfers, Accomodation Review, and Transportation Entitlements. (Consultation with OCASC and Principals in the development of the policy /procedure) January 27,1999 Completion of Program Review (re: secondary school program delivery options - magnet schools, composite schools, specialized programs and semestering) January 28,1999 Q 5 C) Committee of the Whole: Presentation of staff's detailed plan re: home chools for students from closed sites and revised attendance boundaries February 2,1999 February 4, 1999 February 9, 1999 Committee of the Whole: Response to staffs presentation by those from schools directly affected in Phase 1 February 16, 1999 February 18,1999 11revised Committee of the Whole: Deliberation of staff's recommendations for attendance boundaries and school closures for September 1999 February 22, 1999 Final decisions re: 1. Attendance Boundary Adjustments for Planning Areas 1 & 10; 2. Other school closure /attendance boundary adjustments r September 1999 implementation February 23, 1999 - August 31, 1999 Communication and implementation of final decisions effective September 1999 Physical Planning /Revised 18 December 1998 PI PI