WELCOMEWELCOME WELCOMEWELCOME

AGENDA – DECEMBER 8, 2009

1. Welcome

2. Introduction of the members of the Accommodation Review Committee (ARC)

3. Message from Dr. Chris Spence, Director of Education 

4. (a) An overview of the issues facing school boards in Ontario, the TDSB and the schools in our neighbourhood

(b) Questions for clarification

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AGENDA – DECEMBER 8, 20095. (a) Overview of the ARC process

(b) Questions for clarification 

6. (a) Enrolment and other data

(b) Questions for clarification

7. Overview of some sample accommodation models

8. Next steps:

Public Meeting #2: January 6, 2010 Briar Hill

Public Meeting #3: February 3, 2010 West Preparatory

Public Meeting #4: April 8, 2010 Fairbank M.S.

 

9.  Adjournment3

Message from theMessage from theDirector of EducationDirector of Education

Dr. Chris SpenceDr. Chris Spence

Message from theMessage from theDirector of EducationDirector of Education

Dr. Chris SpenceDr. Chris Spence

Purpose:• To provide a context for Accommodation Reviews

and Accommodation Review Committees (ARCs);

• To explain the review process;

• To answer questions you may have; and

• To work collaboratively with you.

Every decision made by the TDSB must support

a school system where the first priority is

supporting Student Learning and Student Achievement.

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3 Priorities of Vision of Hope

• Student Achievement

• Financial Stability

• Parent and Community Engagement

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Student Achievement:Supporting our Vision of K-8

Elementary Schools

Fewer transitions, a sense of community, and access to better programs such as:

• Drama/Dance

• Guidance and Career Education

• Health and Physical Education

• Technology

• Library and Learning Resources

• Music

• Science and Technology

• Visual Arts

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Financial Stability:The Challenge Facing Ontario School

Boards• Most Ontario school boards are experiencing declining

enrolment. The majority of baby boomers’ children are no longer school age.

• It is estimated that Ontario will have 140,000 fewer students in 2010 than in 2002 creating many empty classrooms and under-utilized buildings.

• The Provincial funding formula is based largely on the number of students. As the number of students declines, a Board’s revenue base declines.

• Fewer students means less money to maintain and upgrade schools; buy books and computers; and to hire Vice Principals, specialty teachers, librarians, etc.

• Under-utilized schools are expensive to maintain leaving limited Provincial capital funding to build new schools. 9

Financial Stability:TDSB’s Challenge

• Our cumulative enrolment decline from 2002 to 2010 is about 35,000 students or 13%. The decline will continue into the foreseeable future.

• Millions of dollars in provincial funding will continue to be lost.

• The majority of our schools were built prior to the early 1970s and now range in age from 35 to 120 years old.

• These schools have 100s of millions of dollars in deferred maintenance.

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Financial Stability:Moving Forward

TDSB’s Strategy:

• Retain and attract students by providing a vast array of strategically-located programs in quality learning environments. This will be achieved by:

• Selling or leasing property not needed to meet the needs of students. Funds realized can be re-invested back into improving remaining schools while improving our financial stability.

• Eliminating surplus school capacity. This will greatly reduce deferred maintenance and operating costs and better position the Board to make application to the Ministry to build new schools.

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Financial Stability:Achieving it

• Disposing of property that is not required for the long-term accommodation needs of students;

• Reducing deferred maintenance and operational costs associated with surplus space; and

• Investing in student achievement by re-investing proceeds from property sales and related savings to upgrade schools.

E.g. building additions, program upgrades, building renewal (roofs, windows, boilers), green sustainable measures, and information technology.

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Parent and Community Engagement:

What is an Accommodation Review Committee (ARC)?

• TDSB sets up an ARC to help gather community ideas about the future of a group of local schools.

• Parents, students, local politicians, a community member, and board officials are on the ARC.

• The ARC makes recommendations to the TDSB based on what it hears from the community and TDSB staff. The Board will make the final decisions.

• The ARC must follow precise Ministry of Education guidelines, the Board’s policy and procedure relating to the work of ARCs and its Terms of Reference for ARCs when completing its work.

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Parent and Community Engagement:ARC Timelines

Timelines are mandated by the Ministry of Education.

• An ARC must have its first public meeting no less than 30 days following the Board’s approval of the ARC process.

• There must be a minimum of four meetings to allow the public to engage in conversations about their schools.

• The ARC’s consultation period must be no less than 90 days.

• After the ARC submits its report to the Director or Education, there must be no less than 60 days notice prior to the meeting of the Board when Trustees will vote on recommendations.

• Minimum ARC time = 180 calendar days (can’t include school holidays)

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Parent and Community Engagement:

ARC Roles and Responsibilities

Accommodation Review Committee (ARC):

• Conducts an accommodation review within a defined planning area.

• Listens to information from the local community and TDSB staff.

• Holds a minimum of four public meetings. • Considers options for the future of the schools in the review.

• Makes recommendations to the Director of Education and TDSB about the future of the schools in the review.

Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) does not:

• Make decisions about the future use of a school (surplus/sale).

• Make decisions about the use of a school by external community organizations or partners.

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Parent and Community Engagement:

ARC TERMS OF REFERENCE

The ARC shall:• Review the School Information Profiles• Review, analyze and comment on accommodation

options and decide whether to consider alternative accommodation options

• Determine if options require new capital investment and if there is no funding, propose how to accommodate the students

• Ensure all relevant information is made public

• Adhere to the Ministry Pupil Accommodation

Guideline 16

Parent and Community Engagement:

ACCOMMODATION REVIEW CRITERIA

The TDSB’s vision will guide the ARC’s work and the following criteria are to be referenced during the review process:

• Minimal grade transitions: aim for JK – grade 8 schools but where this configuration is not practical, devise solutions that minimize transitions

• School size: aim for 450 to 650 (elementary) and provide for full implementation of the Early Learning Program by 2015

• Utilization: aim for 80% to 90% utilization rate

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Parent and Community Engagement:

Community Services in SchoolsFull-Service Schools

• TDSB administration and the Board will consider having community service agencies in schools as long as they:

• Do not disrupt operations of the school;• Are able to pay rent to cover full cost of the space used

and/or shared;• Pay the full cost of related renovations needed; • Meet City bylaws for use;• Do not disrupt local community (e.g. excessive traffic);

and • Are consistent with the needs of our students and staff. 18

Parent and Community Engagement:Option Building

PUBLIC MEETING #2January 6, 2010 at Briar Hill

Major agenda items:

• Establishing program priorities for our students

• Examining possible accommodation options