Douglas School – Canada’s Oldest Continuously Operating School (since

1873)

PSSC Presentation to District 18 DEC on the

Continuation of Douglas School

March 17th, 2011

Enrolment at Douglas School Steady over the last number of years

Last 20 years the population in Douglas has increased by at least 10% (comparing Census data from 1991 to 2006)

North Side of Fredericton continues to see growth as well that has long-term implications on enrolment at other schools

Health & Safety: Structural integrity The school was generally found to have

been well maintained…. ADI Report ( 2010) ADI did not carry out a structural analysis,

just a visual walk through evaluation. Douglas School not identified as one of

the first that need to be inspected as part of the provinces ongoing efforts to make sure schools are safe?

Conclusion: Our School is safe!

Health & Safety: Septic System

The one thing that has changed that seemed to be driving this process

Feb 2011 - PSSC requested meeting with District, Department of Supply and Services &

Natech

Outcome: Fixing over replacement is best option at a fraction of the cost ($ 25,000 - $30,000 vs $ 200,000)

Funding is available for repair (2 sources DSS and DEd: $175,000 announced by gov’t -Feb 2011)

Health & Safety: Indoor Air Quality

CO2 levels found to be higher as no ventilation system and more students in class this year over other years

Addressed by periodically opening the door as per recommendation by RPC

Other inexpensive options could be implemented

Health & Safety: Water Quality

Organic & inorganic impurities found; therefore, filtration system was installed

On bottled water since June, 2010One of many schools in NB on bottled

water for prolonged period

Health & Safety: Fire Safety Systems

Fire alarm system in place Emergency and exit lights in place Intrusion alarm in place 2006 Security Camera, door buzzer/intercom

installed, PA system in place Sprinkler system is not required ( District 18)

59 seconds for all students and teachers to exit the building!!!

Quality of Education: Douglas School –a leader in quality education

2010 Provincial Assessment Results

0102030405060708090

100

Gr. 2Reading

Gr. 2Writing

Gr. 4Reading

Gr. 4Writing

Gr. 5Math

DouglasDistrict

Quality of Education- Programs & Services

Music held in multi-purpose roomArt in classroom. No downtime from moving to

another class

Phys. Ed. currently students are bused to McAdam Ave. School. Douglas students get just as much

physical activity if not more than other students who have a gym.

There is a gym in the community…possible

partnership with Douglas Baptist Church

“All” children are involved in sports activities – numbers are not limited. Great spirit of inclusion!

Quality of Education- Programs & Services

•Children may spend twice as much time on the bus if they have to travel to Royal Road School

i.e 18.7 km from Cedar Circle to Royal Road vs 10.9 km from Cedar Circle to Douglas School

Transportation

Finances - Operating Costs

Utility Expenditures-Average Cost Per Student ($212) is not out of line with other schools in the District

Physical Condition of Building - The fact that it does not meet either current building code or design guidelines for educational facilities should not come as a surprise. It is the oldest operating school in Canada.

The majority of schools in District 18 would require substantial funding to bring them up to present day code and design guidelines for educational facilities .

Parents have been told time and time again that the building is safe !!!!!

Finances: Operating Costs School is inspected annually

Douglas Elementary has received the least amount of Capital Funding (approved and emergency) since 1995 (Facilities Review Summaries posted on District 18 website)

The School was not on the Province’s 2011 initial list for Structural Inspection

Very little funding has been earmarked for Canada’s Oldest Continuously Operating School since 1995 and therefore we are faced with these issues.

Finances

Considering the age of the building and lack of investment in it, the Douglas School is serving well.

A certain level of repair can be made without having to bring entire building up to code.

Funding has been announced for the school and should be used for the school. $ 175,000

The Community wants to play a role in this area.

Impact on other Schools Modifications will have to be made at any school if

all Douglas students were to be accommodated, involving financial costs.

Questions around functional capacity at Royal Road  

Ratings: Greater than 80% - Full Capacity             60%-80% - Optimum             Less than 60% - Under Utilized  Is it 93 % or 79%?

Student to staff ratio will increase

Only school in the Parish of Douglas Extremely strong ties to the

community Generations have attended the school Central facility and “ heart” of the

community “Peanut butter and jam” that holds the

community together

Demonstated by: Letters to the Daily Gleaner Facebook Page (Save Douglas School)

supportive comments / approx. 3600 views http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Douglas-School-Oldest-Operating-School-in-Canada/129619670430941

PSSC survey questionnaire Community Comments / calls Youth Involvement PSSC Major Fundraising Plans

PSSC Survey January 2011

1) Are you concerned about the possibility of the school closing?

2) How important is having a school in the Douglas Community to you?

3) If the Douglas School were to close, how would this affect your family / or our community

33 family response ( approx. 50 % response rate )

Small schools are seen as enhancing strong personal bonds, home and community involvement, improved instructional quality and accountability, and improved teacher working conditions and job satisfaction."[7] UCLA

Leading small schools proponent Dr. Stuart Grauer notes, "Research shows overwhelmingly that small schools lead to greater student academic gains and personal adjustment.

"Students at large schools are more prone to be alienated from their peers or engage in risky behavior" (University of Minnesota research, Los Angeles Times, 4/12/02).

27% of home buyers listed school quality and 21% listed proximity to schools as deciding factors in their home purchase.   (F. Heller, Manager, Virtual Library & Archives) 2008 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers,

Douglas residents have stated that they will move if school is closed.

Impact of closing our “only” school in Douglas will be felt for generations.....

1. By removing the central community place, communities will lose their culture and identity over time. Not solely an education issue.

2. Multiple Rural schools studies on the negative effects of school closures and the community especially when the school is the “only” school.

3. PSSC and Douglas community recognize the importance of the statement.

“It takes a village to raise a child!”

KEY POINTS Douglas School is safe and healthy $ 25,000 - $ 30,000 for septic system

repair can be covered by Department of Supply and Services if needed

$175,000 allocated for Douglas School 2011/2012 should be used for the school

Extremely high community support for the continuation of Douglas’ only school

Moving our children is not necessary Small schools need to be supported

What is needed?

ImmediatelyShort term investment to repair the septic system and minor repairs with money that has been allocated.

Within the next 5 years Enter into a community / public / private partnership to develop a long-term plan for the continuation of a school in the community of Douglas