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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard 21 Dec 1998 Minutes PublicI ML 0TRWA-CARMON ,01STRICr SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 21 DECEMBER 1998 A meeting of the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board was held on the above date in the Board Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Nepean, Ontario, commencing at 7:00 p.m., with Trustee Albert Chambers in the Chair and the following also in attendance: Trustees Cynthia Bled, Lynn Graham, Patty Anne Hill, Andrew Lam, Jim Libbey, Norm MacDonald, Sheryl MacDonald, Pam Morse and Lynn Scott. Trustee Alex Getty participated by teleconference. Staff: Director of Education and Secretary of the Board, James P. Grieve; Superintendents Larry Archibald, Rose -Marie Batley, John Brennan, Michael Clarke, Ross Donaldson, Katharine Saunders, Barbara Stollery and Judy Turriff; Manager of Physical Planning, Facilities & Transportation, Michael Carson; Planners Estelle Butler, Phil Dawes, Marc Labelle and Mark Smith; Communications Officer, Paul Chislett; Legal Advisor, Janice McCoy; Assistant Secretary of the Board, Joan Melancon; Research and Planning Officer, Janice Sargent; A/V Technician Robert Giekes; and Board Reporter, Gloria Scharfe. On a motion by Trustee Norm MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, the Board moved into Committee of the Whole (in camera). Trustee Graham assumed the Chair in Committee. 25. Report of the Committee of the Whole (In Camera) Trustee Graham advised that there was no public report arising from the in camera meeting. 26. Approval of the A eg nda The Chair noted that a motion by Trustee Morse relating to the continuance of the CWGs was deferred to this meeting but was inadvertently omitted from the agenda; and that it would be included under item 7. On a motion by Trustee Morse, seconded by Trustee Norm MacDonald, the agenda was approved as amended. 27. Public Question Period The Chair indicated he would allow all those who registered for question period to be heard, and that in view of the numbers, each question and answer would be limited to one minute. a) Lori Simpson, Crichton Alternative Community School, asked whether school councils would be involved in the consultation process on school closures. The Chair responded that in addition to the opportunities already provided to school councils through participation in CWGs and delegations, there would be further opportunities to participate in discussions on boundary setting and school closures early in the new year. b) Eric Bramwell, Alta Vista P.S., asked about the future of the McHugh Unit, which consists of four classrooms and an office, located at Alta Vista P.S. Superintendent Batley advised that the Unit's location for September 1999 has not yet been determined. She confirmed Mr. Bramwell's understanding that the OCDSB was required to include the space in its capacity, but the Ottawa - Carleton Separate School Board counts the students in its enrolment. To date, the province has not changed its position on this but an appeal is pending. Staff intends to discuss the situation with the OCDSB. C) Tom Sinclair asked about the relationship between school closures and the staff report on long range planning included in the agenda. The Director advised that student accommodation is only one element of the long range plan which will consider the directions of the Board as a whole over the next 5 -10 years. Ma6z I 7L,-Jl OTTAWA-CARLETON ,DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD NIINUTES 21 DECEMBER 1998 d) Dan MacMillan, representing the Mayor of West Carleton, reminded the Board that West Carleton has grown a great deal and all its schools are overcrowded. He expressed the hope that Trustees would bear this in mind during their discussions. e) Meredith Rodger, Fisher Park/Summit, asked Trustees to accept the staff proposal to meet with school representatives to discuss attendance boundaries and find better solutions for student relocation. f) Carolyn Brereton, Crichton Alternative Community School, asked whether the students enrolled in the alternative program at Crichton would be moved as a body. The Director responded that while there is a commitment to alternative program delivery, it has not yet been determined whether the group can be relocated as a whole. g) Peter Jarvis referred to the 14 December meeting when he asked that communications between staff and the Ministry be made available to the public. He indicated that his request was meant to include communications between the Ministry and other political bodies, and Trustees and staff, as well as memoranda on oral communications between any of the parties. He asked that provision of this material on an ongoing basis become Board policy. h) Elda Allen asked whether consideration has been given to the future of the inner core when young families move away as schools close, and to surrounding cities as they expand with no assurance new schools will be built. She also asked that the Board consider the recommendations of the Fisher Park Planning Committee which advocated the use of surplus space by complementary organizations working within the school. She urged the Board to oppose the dictates of the province. The Chair responded that the Board is cognizant of both urban and rural needs and continues to work toward balancing these needs. The Chair noted that the current space formula requires that the Board include space used by community organizations in its total capacity. An appeal on this issue is pending. He also stated that the Board has strong views on the provincial directives and has become more vocal in making its views known to the Ministry. i) Beverly Ensom, Chair of the Area 4 CWG, expressed concern that Trustees intend to close schools without taking into account the CWG reports which represent thousands of hours of volunteer work. She noted that it will be difficult to expect parents to volunteer in future if this is so. The Chair indicated that Trustees have reviewed all the CWG reports and have used them as reference information in their discussions. He expressed the hope that parents would continue to work with the Board to ensure decisions are implemented in the best fashion. To a comment by Ms. Ensom that there is a perception that staff has bypassed the reports, the Director responded that all reports have been read by staff and have formed a significant part of the review, although not all of the CWG recommendations were acted upon. j) Sue Pem, McArthur H.S., noted the subject options available to basic level students and asked how McArthur students' needs would be met if the school were closed. Superintendent Batley advised that according to Ministry calculations, Sir Guy Carleton H.S. has available space and basic level students could be transferred to that facility. Other programs currently located at McArthur would be housed elsewhere. Superintendent Stollery added that basic level programs will be subject to review in the context of secondary reform. Ms. Perry stated that the Sir Guy Carleton environment is substantially different from that of McArthur, and expressed concern that the entire McArthur student body could not be relocated to a common location. k) Lillian Robinson, speaking on behalf of near -west end families, asked if Trustees intend to abide by their first criteria, student implications, and spend some time reviewing the program requirements of intermediate students. She noted that many intermediate students in the near west end will be required to attend four schools in four years under the current closure proposals, which will be very disruptive. The Chair agreed to look into this situation. -20- I M,_J OTTAWA-CAUE[ON .DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 21 DECEMBER 1998 1) Ken Hoffman asked whether any Board members intended to participate in the Mayors and Chairs meeting scheduled for January. He also asked whether there has been any discussion at the staff or Trustee level, with municipalities, the region or community groups re possible alternative uses of school space. The Chair advised that he and the Vice -Chair would attend the January meeting. The Director advised that staff has met with the region regarding regional service providers leasing excess school space, but no commitments have been made. 28. Delegations a) Janet Stavinga, Mayor, Goulbourn Township Ms. Stavinga referred to the severe school shortage in Goulbourn Township and suggested concerted and cooperative action is necessary between school boards and municipalities, and with developers. She endorsed the Ottawa - Carleton Separate School Board's recognition of an inner core and east and west zones outside the Greenbelt, and suggested the OCDSB adopt a similar approach. She urged the Board to extend the timelines for school closure decisions for the reasons outlined in Trustee Scott's motion; i.e., to allow a better understanding of the proposed redistribution of students and programs from the schools recommended for closure. In response to Trustee questions, Mayor Stavinga advised it would be difficult to expect developers to contribute additional funding because of the provincial downloading which has occurred. Taxes in Goulbourn Township have increased by as much as 400% and the business community is hard pressed. b) Linda Davis, Regional Councillor Linda Davis urged the Board not to close Fisher Park/Summit School, noting that this school is used by the community to a great extent. She suggested a community based policing centre and day care facilities could lease space in the school, and students currently housed in nearby portables could also be accommodated. She stressed that students would have to be part of the critical mass occupying the facility. Trustees welcomed the tangible ideas put forward, and a suggestion was made that the regional government might consider taking over the school and leasing part of the space back to the Board for classrooms. The City of Ottawa was approached in this regard and the Board was advised that the City has insufficient funds to entertain such a proposal. Staff advised that while no specific negotiations are underway regarding Fisher Park, generally the groups interested in leasing space are unable or unwilling to pay the rent which would be required to make the school a net revenue producer. Trustee Libbey advised Ms. Davis that 1.4% interest, which is not covered by the province, accrues to the Board because tax rebates owed to the Board by municipalities are always late. Ms. Davis agreed this situation should be addressed. C) Alex Cullen MPP, Ottawa West Mr. Cullen noted that none of the proposed closures appear to be related to educational reasons; all are due to fiscal requirements and the narrow definition which leads to `vacant' space. He noted that many Boards have rejected the government agenda and suggested the OCDSB should do the same. He urged the Board to abandon the closure process ad to work with other Boards to force the government to reconsider some of its decisions. He advised that the NDP is working to have the provincial education policy overturned, but he conceded that if schools are closed a change in policy, or in the government following the next election, will not result in a reversal of those decisions. On the subject of funding, Mr. Cullen suggested it should be possible through local taxation to raise an additional 10% of the funding grant, subject to agreement by the taxpayers. d) Bruce Carson Chair Alta Vista School Council and Eric Bramwell, CWG Area 4 Delg= The presenters expressed concern regarding the closure of Riverview Alternative School. In their opinion, the Area 4 CWG's recommendations were based on solid evidence. They noted that Riverview will be needed to accommodate increased -21- I TL'I-j OTTAWA CkUETON ,DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 21 DECEMBER 1998 enrolment in the coming years. and that the staff report on Riverview does not appear to follow the criteria established for recommending closure of a particular school. Riverview Alternative currently is 70% full. Superintendent Batley advised that the occupancy rate includes students from a larger catchment area than if it were not an alternative school. If students were repatriated the occupancy rate would be much lower. The question of moving Riverview students to Alta Vista was discussed and staff advised that the capacity at Alta Vista is skewed because the McHugh Unit is located there. A decision on McHugh's future location will be made in the near future. e) Charles Wendt and Nelson Rowell, Co- Chairs, McArthur High School Council The presenters explained the type of students enrolled at McArthur, noting they have very complex needs, whereas Sir Guy Carleton H. S. has a general population of middle -needs students and community living programs. McArthur provides support for extreme needs such as orthopaedic, autistic and multiple disabilities, a range of community living and special support units. They asked Trustees to keep McArthur open for at least another four years. Superintendent Batley advised that Sir Guy Carleton's enrolment is at 62% capacity and McArthur's is at 37 %, according to the Ministry loadings which generate capacity figures for all sites. There is insufficient enrolment to fill two schools and secondary reform may present further changes. Some Trustees did not agree with the Ministry figures. Superintendent Stollery noted that teaching contracts and government regulations dictate class sizes for basic level education and various exceptionalities. If a number of basic level students were moved to Sir Guy Carleton, the larger population would allow the Board to reopen shop classes which were closed because of low enrolment. In her experience, a larger population coupled with specialized units, works well. n I Chris Ellis, Co- Chair, Overbrook School Council Chris Ellis stated that voting to close schools at this time would validate the provincial government's vision of education whereas there has been little or no discussion on whether the province's requirements are reasonable. The province is setting up conflicts bm%ren parents and Boards, and the Board should be listening to the views of parents and making them known to the province, rather than vice versa. g i lien Birchall and Carol MacDonald, Co- Chairs, Whitehaven Community Association The presenters urged the Board not to close Whitehaven for a number of reasons, including the fact that no expenditures are required on plant. subsidized day care facilities are available on site, the school is involved in a pilot for better air quality, and 65 portables are located within 7 minutes of the school and students in some of these could be relocated to Whitehaven. They noted that no ne, savings will result from closing schools nor will school closures provide financing for new schools. They asked Trustees to re% iew the implications and exercise due diligence before closing any schools. The Director acyreed that there may be 65 portables in the Whitehaven area, and explained the difference between portables which are required as classrooms and `soft' portables which are on site but not required for regular programs. Because moving a portable is an expensive proposition, portables are normally left on site and a school is allowed to use them until they are required by another school for program reasons. In response to queries, Superintendent Batley advised that staff will discuss relocation of the Whitehaven students with school councils and parents in January. She also noted that day care space is no longer required, or funded, by the province in new schools. Existing day care space is not counted in capacity calculations if it existed prior to January 1, 1998 and the Board has included in its appeal documents a request that existing day care space can be transferred and zero rated. 1114) -22- I ML OTRWA-CAWTON .gISTUCT SCHOOL BOARD 29. Staff Presentation /Recommendations MINUTES 21 DECEMBER 1998 Trustees had before them staff report no. 99 -005, outlining staff recommendations and revised timelines for school closures. Superintended Batley presented the report and reviewed the background and status of the process, the involvement of the CWGs and the rationale for closing specified schools in September 1999. She explained the utilization factors considered and the relationship between disposal of a school and new pupil place grants, how schools selected for closure under Phase 1 were identified, related issues such as transportation and staff development requirements and the alternatives which must be faced if no schools are closed; i.e., a reduction in monies available to fund programs and services. Superintendent Batley explained staffs proposals for revised timelines for completion of Phase 1, and implementation of a process for Phase 2. Trustee Getty, seconded by Trustee Scott, moved as follows: A. That Trustees reaffirm the former Carleton Board of Education's decision to close Confederation H.S. for September 1999. B. That Phase 1 of the process for the Attendance Boundary/Area Review /School Closure Study be revised to include the remaining nine (9) school sites identified by staff, with timelines in accordance with Appendix B to report no. 98 -397, 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 2 for the Attendance Boundary /Area Review /School Closure Study Process. Trustee Getty stated that it is important to take as much time as possible for dialogue and debate and to receive clarification on the placement of students from closed schools. Staff responded to a number of questions from Trustees on related financial matters such as the problems associated with constructing a 1999 -2000 budget if closure decisions have not been finalized, the method of determining a school's operating costs, net savings related to school closures, funding and building new schools, small school grants, and possible uses of the Education Development Charges reserve funds. Trustees requested information regarding the rationale for choosing a specific school for closure, the impacts on teaching and other staff and on school -based day care centres, the impact of favourable decisions on OCDSB appeals on targeted schools in both Phases 1 and 2, the relocation of Confederation students if Part A of the motion were approved and plans for further community consultation. Staff then explained the proposed process for Phase 2, and confirmed that there may be slight differences between Phase 1 and Phase 2 closure criteria. They responded to Trustee queries on this subject, including the timing of attendance boundary decisions and transportation entitlements. On the matter of relocating Confederation students, Trustee Lam noted that Laurentian H.S. is in the Confederation area and suggested that Trustees give staff direction that students not residing in Barrhaven may also choose to attend Laurentian. Staff noted that when the former CBE approved a choice of schools for students in the Confederation area, Laurentian was not included because it was not a CBE school. Trustee Bled objected to giving staff direction at the request of a single Trustee and asked for a motion and a recorded vote on this issue. Trustee Lam, seconded by Trustee Hill, moved in amendment that Part A of the motion be reworded as follows: -23- I M,_J OTTAWA CARLETON ,DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 21 DECEMBER 1998 That Trustees reaffirm the former Carleton Board of Education's decision to close Confederation H.S. for September 1999, with the exception of directing students not residing in the Barrhaven area to Laurentian, J.S. Woodsworth, Sir Robert Borden or Merivale High Schools. Staff advised that the amendment was unworkable at this time, and Trustee Lam withdrew the amendment. Trustee Libbey asked what was envisaged in the proposed consultation, and expressed reservations about the time available for the extensive consultation he felt was required. Staff confirmed that discussions would involve planning staff, schools councils and parents of students at Phase 1 schools and the recommended receiving schools. Trustee Libbey, seconded by Trustee Hill, moved in amendment that Part C of the motion include as part of the Phase 2 process, development of a comprehensive system plan as directed in item 4.2 of Board Policy P.013.PLG: "The Board shall ensure that a comprehensive system plan is developed outlining projected facilities needs and general deployment of spaces, and taking into account student enrolment patterns, population growth, program/curriculum needs and program locations. The plan shall be reviewed at least once every ten years." The Director noted that Phase 1 and Phase 2 are component elements of the policy directive, and agreed that both closures and additional requirements should be reviewed as part of the process. He agreed that this could be completed by the end of October 1999 to coincide with decisions on Phase 2. Some Trustees expressed concern with the time frame proposed. Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Hill, moved in sub - amendment, that the amendment include the phrase "if possible within the timeframe ". Trustee Morse, seconded by Trustee Scott, moved that the amendment, and the proposed sub - amended, be separated out as Part D and deferred to the first Board meeting in January. The Chair ruled that the deferral was in order as the proposed Part D could stand on its own. Trustee Getty suggested that the deferral should be to the January Business Services Committee meeting. Trustees Morse and Scott agreed. The motion to defer was defeated on a tie vote. Trustee Scott withdrew the sub - amendment. Trustee Morse's motion that the amendment become Part D of the motion was defeated. Trustee Libbey's amendment to include the development of a comprehensive system plan as part of Phase 2 was defeated. Trustee Libbey, seconded by Trustee Hill, moved in amendment that Part C of the motion include the following: "and that a workshop involving staff and Trustees be held as part of the development of a Phase 2 process." Trustee Bled objected to the amendment on the grounds that it introduced a new element to the motion. The Chair ruled that the amendment was in order as it pertains to an elaboration of the process. 1440 -24- I LTL'1_J OTTAWA-CARLETON .OIS PJCT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 21 DECEMBER 1998 Trustee Graham, seconded by Trustee Bled, moved in sub - amendment that the workshop contemplated in the amendment should include representatives of the Community Working Groups. The sub - amendment was defeated. The amendment was defeated. Trustee Graham assumed the Chair. Trustee Chambers, seconded by Trustee Libbey, moved that Part B of the motion be amended by adding: "that sessions on 2, 4, 9, 16 and 18 February be structured so as to have presentations relating to small groups of schools (2 to 3 in an evening) with deliberations on those schools that same evening." Trustee Chambers commented that his amendment would add focus to the process as it would enable Trustees to discuss and understand groups of schools. Final decisions would still be made on 22 February. The amendment carried. Trustee Chambers returned to the Chair. Concerning Part A of the motion, Trustee Norm MacDonald recommended that Trustees endorse the CWG report to close Merivale H.S. or J.S. Wordsworth H.S. and keep Confederation open as a JK to OAC facility. He presented overheads showing that Merivale students could readily attend other nearby schools, while Confederation students who do not reside in Barrhaven, cannot. He requested that staff review his proposal. The Director noted that Part A of the motion constitutes a reaffirmation of a decision made by the former CBE to close Confederation H.S. The issue of converting the school to a different type of facility is a major change and one which has not been discussed with the community. He noted that conversion of Confederation to something other than a high school is a disposal issue which can be dealt with apart from a confirmation of the decision to close Confederation H.S. Trustee Norm MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, moved to defer Part A of the motion to 22 February 1999. The motion to defer carried. Part B of the motion, as amended, carried on the following recorded vote: For: Trustees Chambers. Getty, Hill, Lam, Norm MacDonald, Morse and Scott -07 Against: Trustees Bled, Graham and Libbey -03 Abstention: Trustee Sheryl MacDonald -01 Part C of the motion carried on the following recorded vote: For: Trustees Getty, Hill, Lam, Norm MacDonald, Morse and Scott -06 -25- I L7,-Jl OTTAWA-CAUETON ,01STRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 21 DECEMBER 1998 Against: Trustees Bled, Chambers, Graham and Sheryl MacDonald -04 Abstention: Trustee Libbey -01 The approved motion, therefore, reads as follows: A. That the following recommendation be deferred to the 22 February 1999 Board meeting: That Trustees reaffirm the former Carleton Board of Education's decision to close Confederation H.S. for September 1999. B. i) That Phase I of the process for the Attendance Boundary/Area Review /School Closure Study be revised to include the ten (10) school sites identified by staff, with timelines in accordance with Appendix B to report no. 98 -397, resulting in a final decision to close schools for implementation September 1999 being made on 22 February 1999. ii) That Appendix B be amended to indicate that the meetings on 2, 4, 9,16 and 18 February will be structured to have presentations relating to small groups of schools (2 - 3 in an evening) and deliberations on those schools that same evening; with final decisions on all school closures being made on 22 February 1999. C. That staff be directed to bring back to Board for approval, a revised Phase 2 for the Attendance Boundary/Area _vj Review /School Closure Study Process. On a motion by Trustee Libbey, seconded by Trustee Graham, the Board agreed to continue past 11:00 p.m. to consider the staff report on long range planning. 30. Long Range Planning Trustees had before them staff report no. 98 -003 outlining a proposal for developing a long range plan for the OCDSB. (Reference: Report No. 1, Chair's Committee, 16 December 1998). The Director reviewed the Future Search concept and the responsibilities of the planning committee, and noted that there is some urgency regarding this matter because the planning session committee is scheduled to meet 14 January to develop plans for a stakeholder conference in May. Moved by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Hill, that A. That Future Search Canada Associates be engaged to work with an expanded planning committee which will include other stakeholders in addition to Trustees and staff, to organize a long range planning conference for the OCDSB to be held over three days in May 1999 with follow -up through January 2000, at a cost of $12,000 plus expenses and GST, to cover all pre- and post -work with the planning committee throughout 1999. B. That two additional Trustees be appointed to the Planning Committee (in addition to the Chair and the Vice - Chair). Some Trustees expressed concern that four Trustees would provide too many representatives from one group. In response to a question from Trustee Norm MacDonald as to whether Trustees could attend as observers, the Director advised that this might -26- I ML OTTAWA-CARUTON ,OISTRIC SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 21 DECEMBER 1998 not be practical because of the magnitude of tasks facing the planning committee. Trustee Norm MacDonald indicated that as a matter of principle Trustees should not be excluded from such an important process. Trustee Norm MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, moved in amendment that Part C be added to the motion as follows: C. That meetings be open to additional Trustees as observers. The amendment carried. Trustee Libbey requested a separate vote on each part of the motion. Part A carried unanimously. Part B was defeated on a tie vote. Part C carried. The approved motion, therefore, reads as follows: A. That Future Search Canada Associates be engaged to work with an expanded planning committee which will include other stakeholders in addition to Trustees and staff, to organize a long range planning conference for the OCDSB to be held over three days in May 1999 with follow -up through January 2000, at a cost of $12,000 plus expenses and GST, to cover all pre- and post -work with the planning committee throughout 1999. B. That meetings be open to additional Trustees as observers. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 12:20 a.m. Items of business not dealt with will be placed on a future agenda. James P. Grieve Director of Education and Secretary of the Board /gs R -27- Albert Chambers Chair of the Board