Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard 14 Dec 2000 Minutes PublicOTTAWA CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING, 14 December 2000 A special meeting of the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board was held this evening in the Board Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Nepean, Ontario, commencing at 7:00 p.m. with Trustee Jim Libbey in the chair and the following in attendance: Trustees Brian Gifford, Lynn Graham, Myrna Laurenceson, Norm MacDonald, Sheryl MacDonald, David Moen, Lynn Scott, and Joan Spice. Staff: Director of Education and Secretary of the Board, James Grieve; Rose -Marie Batley, Ross Donaldson, Judith Hoye, Nancy MacLeod, Dan Mason, Laura McAlister, Katherine Saunders, Barbara Stollery, Manager, Facilities, Planning and Transportation, Michael Carson; Manager of Communications, Maggie Melenhorst; Assistant Secretary of the Board, Joan Melancon; Management, Policy and Planning Advisor, Janice Sargent; Planners Marc Labelle, Ian Baxter, Phil Dawes; AN Technician Robert Giekes; Co- ordinator of School Operations, Sue Baker (recording). 18. Call to Order Chair Libbey called the meeting to order, and noted that this was a special meeting of the Board to receive a report on demographic projections for the Region of Ottawa - Carleton. 19. Public Ouestion Period There were no questions from the public. 20. Report from Consultant. Demoparanhic Proiections for the Region The Chair introduced Tom McCormack of The Centre for Spatial Economics, and noted that the Board had agreed to consider the demographic projections that his firm is preparing for the Ottawa -Hull census metropolitan area (CMA) and the new City of Ottawa prior to finalizing its decisions on school closures. He noted that although Mr. McCormack would not be in a position to provide projections at the family of schools level at this time, he would introduce his study and explain the methodology behind it. Consultant Tom McCormack of The Centre for Spatial Economics presented his preliminary report, "Population Projection Alternatives Ottawa -Hull CMA and the City of Ottawa ". Mr. McCormack outlined the methodology used by his firm to predict future population trends for the coming 30 years. Population projections are based on the assumption that approximately 9% of high tech jobs located in census metropolitan areas across Canada will be located in Ottawa -Hull. Three alternative scenarios, all of which show optimism, project the number of high tech jobs in this area to grow from the approximately 80,000 jobs at present to between 150,000 and 250,000 jobs by the year 2031. Employment growth in the local, provincial and federal governments is anticipated to continue at a slow, steady pace. Based on these employment projections, the population for the City of Ottawa is anticipated to grow from the current 780,000 to between 1.2 million and 1.8 million, by 2031. Mr. McCormack noted that the actual projections for each of the twenty planning areas within the City of Ottawa will not be available until the end of January or early February. Once the projections for each of the twenty planning areas have been completed, using 1996 census data, the projections will be -8- further broken down into 155 census tracts by age and gender per household. This information could then be applied to the families of schools to project population growth for school -aged children. Determining where in the city the new growth will take place depends on land availability and the type of in -fill housing or commercial use that will be chosen by city planners for each area. For example, based on historical census data, the population of school -aged children in the downtown inner area is not anticipated to change significantly unless the City plans to develop family- oriented in -fill housing that would change the demographics over time. * * * ** On a motion by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Laurenceson, the Board resolved into Committee of the Whole to permit an informal question and answer period. Trustee Graham assumed the Chair in Committee. 21. Trustee Ouestions The consultant provided clarification on a number of points made during his presentation. In addition, the following information was provided in response to questions from trustees. The consultant's model is different from that used by the Board's planners in that the consultant assumes that in- migration is driven by the economy. Other models use basic assumptions such as the historical intake of people and federal targets for immigration, rather than projecting job growth or considering the effects of economic recession. Mr. McCormack reported that he has examined the Board's planning study and noted its similarity to his projections. He predicted that the population of school -aged children throughout the region will not change significantly in the next five years; however, the numbers will likely vary greatly between local communities. The data for the study has been derived from the Ottawa Economic Development Corporation and the Labour Force Survey. Census data is used to determine the age of neighbourhoods. The Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) is based on commuting patterns and includes the Region of Ottawa - Carleton plus outlying areas that are not within the Board's jurisdiction. The next step for the consultant is to determine in which areas of the city future growth will take place, and what type of housing or other land use will be permitted. Approximately 8% of future family housing requirements will be met within the Greenbelt, and another 8 %, and possibly more, will come from outlying rural areas. The remaining housing will be built in the suburban areas outside the Greenbelt. The City's present official plan did not anticipate the current and projected future high, rapid growth in the area. Mr. McCormack noted that it is possible to experience a 20% to 40% increase or decline in school -age . population in a downtown area within a short time period depending on changing demographics, land availability and use, and local housing market conditions. 22. New Business There was no new business. On a motion by Trustee Norm MacDonald, the Committee of the Whole moved back into Board to consider the items on the in camera agenda for the Board meeting. Trustee Graham assumed the chair in Committee and the Committee later rose and presented the report below (Board minute 23 -00 refers). 23. Report No. 1. Committee of the Whole (in cameral Trustee Graham presented Report No. 1, Committee of the Whole (in camera) and seconded the recommendation therein: -9- Corrected page - Board meeting 14 December 2000 (W be applied to the families of schools to project population growth for school -aged children. Determining where in the city the new growth will take place depends on land availability and the type of in -fill housing or commercial use that will be chosen by city planners for each area. For example, based on historical census data, the population of school -aged children in the downtown inner area is not anticipated to change significantly unless the City plans to develop family- oriented in -fill housing that would change the demographics over time. (W rrection On a motion by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Laurenceson, the Board resolved into Committee of the Whole to permit an informal question and answer period. Trustee Graham assumed the Chair in Committee. 21. Trustee Ouestions The consultant provided clarification on a number of points made during his presentation. In addition, the following information was provided in response to questions from trustees. The consultant's model is different from that used by the Board's planners in that the consultant assumes that in- migration is driven by the economy. Other models use basic assumptions such as the historical intake of people and federal targets for immigration, rather than projecting job growth or considering the effects of economic recession. Mr. McCormack reported that he has examined the Board's planning study and noted its similarity to his projections. He predicted that the population of school -aged children throughout the region will not change significantly in the next five years; however, the numbers will likely vary greatly between local communities. The data for the study has been derived from the Ottawa Economic Development Corporation and the Labour Force Survey. Census data is used to determine the age of neighbourhoods. The Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) is based on commuting patterns and includes the Region of Ottawa - Carleton plus outlying areas that are not within the Board's jurisdiction. The next step for the consultant is to determine in which areas of the city future growth will take place, and what type of housing or other land use will be permitted. Approximately 80% of future family housing requirements will be met within the Greenbelt, and another 8 %, and possibly more, will come from outlying rural areas. The remaining housing will be built in the suburban areas outside the Greenbelt. The City's present official plan did not anticipate the current and projected future high, rapid growth in the area. Mr. McCormack noted that it is possible to experience a 20% to 40% increase or decline in school -age population in a downtown area within a short time period depending on changing demographics, land availability and use, and local housing market conditions. 22. New Business There was no new business. On a motion by Trustee Norm MacDonald, the Committee of the Whole moved back into Board to consider the items on the in camera agenda for the Board meeting. Trustee Graham assumed the chair in Committee and the Committee later rose and presented the report below (Board minute 23 -00 refers). 23. Report No. 1, Committee of the Whole (in camera) Trustee Graham presented Report No. 1, Committee of the Whole (in camera) and seconded the recommendation therein: a) Appointment of Principals (Motion by Trustee Scott (substituting for Trustee Libbey), seconded by Trustee Graham) THAT the Board confirm the appointments to elementary principal of Andrew Lynch, Denise Norris, and Denise Poirier, effective 1 January 2001, for a one -year probationary period. The recommendation was adopted by the Board. The meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m. James P. Grieve Director of Education and Secretary of the Board SB /sb BOE /001214 -10- Jim Libbey Chair of the Board