HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE (ARC) PUBLIC MEETING # 4

HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW

COMMITTEE (ARC)

PUBLIC MEETING # 4

St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

7 P.M.


AGENDA Prayer Welcome / Introductions Background Hamilton East Accommodation Review

Committee – Findings and Recommendations

Feedback/questions pertaining to recommendations

Adjournment - 9:00 p.m.


Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee Members

Chair – Patricia Amos

Superintendent of Education

Trustee – Linda DiBartolomeo

Ward 5



St. Christopher

Principal – Loretta Ferro

Catholic School Council – John Zimmerman

St. John the Baptist Parish – Terri Persaud

Community Rep. – Bill MacIntosh



St. David

Principal – Sandra Scime

Catholic School Council – Ralph Urciuoli

St. Eugene Parish – Maxine Whitehead

Incarnation Parish – Kerry Dwyer-Mitchell

Community Rep. – Luisa Butera



St. Luke

Principal – Marcelo DeAngelis

Catholic School Council – Anita Thompson

St. Luke Parish – Lucienne Rowan

Community Rep. – Marco Fortino


In keeping with the following: Education Act s. 8(1)

Ministry of Education Pupil Accommodation Review Guidelines – October 31, 2006

Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board Policy S. 09

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board shall review its pupil accommodation requirements annually.


Pupil Accommodation Review Policy(S.09)

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School board is responsible for providing schools and facilities for its students and for operating and maintaining its schools as effectively and efficiently as possible to support student achievement.



The annual facilities review examines the on-going viability and operation of the schools taking into account declining enrolment, overcrowding, programming needs, facility needs, aging buildings and the need for new facilities.


Addressing Growth AreasSince 2000, the Board has opened 6 new elementary schools:

Guardian Angels Holy Name of Mary Mother Teresa Pope John Paul St. Mark St. Thérèse of Lisieux

A new Immaculate Heart of Mary school was built to replace the former school. The new school opened in January 2007.


H.W.C.D.S.B. Capital Plan 2007 Funding Requests to Ministry of Education

The Board has submitted the following requests to the Ministry of Education for consideration for capital funds to construct new/replacement schools in the following areas:

Ancaster Heritage Green Flamborough Binbrook


The Board has received confirmation from the Ministry of Education that capital funds have been made available to construct a replacement school for St. Thomas Waterdown due to the fact that the school was also deemed “prohibitive to repair”.

The Ministry has not allocated capital funds for the other projects at this time.


H.W.C.D.S.B.Past School Closures – Due to Decline in Enrolment

St. Emeric St. Charles Garnier St. Thomas Aquinas Holy Rosary


H.W.C.D.S.B.School Closure/Consolidation

Christ the King / Canadian Martyrs St. Bernard / St. David St. Cecilia / Mother Teresa St. Anthony / St. Luke St. Joan of Arc / St. Agnes



According to Ministry and Board Policy, the Accommodation Review Process must include a group of schools within the review area and not a single school.

The process is intended to include broader consultation and review of data from multiple schools in order to help facilitate the development of viable and practical solutions for student accommodation.


Challenges of Declining Enrolment

Enrolment and demographics determine the need for permanent facilities.

Enrolment is the key determinant of staffing levels in schools.

Grade structures are determined by enrolment. Small enrolment can result in triple grades in a school.

Enrolment is the major component in the Ministry of Education funding model.


Comparison of Elementary Enrolment 2000-2007

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

20,566 20,874 20,930 20,745 20,320 20,036 19,725 19,391

+/-

308

+/-

56

+/-

-185

+/-

-425

+/-

-284

+/-

-311

+/-

-334


Enrolment Projections 2005 – 2015(From March 2, 2007 Board Report)

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

20,036 19,725 19,407 19,227 19,109 18,974 18,858 18,768 18,739 18,650 18,564


Key indicators critical to the school accommodation review process are:

A school may no longer be viable based on low enrolment which presents difficulty in meeting the educational needs of the students.

Per pupil operating costs may be above Ministry funding allocations.


The School Valuation Framework helps to measure the key indicators by examining school data

related to each of the following categories:

Value of the school to the Student Value of the school to the Board Value of the school to the Community Value of the school to the Local

Economy


Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee Meetings and Public Meetings

Committee Meeting June 21, 2007Committee Meeting September 17, 2007Committee Meeting October 23, 2007Public Meeting #1 October 30, 2007Committee Meeting November 15, 2007Public Meeting #2 November 29, 2007Committee Meeting January 15, 2008Public Meeting #3 January 24, 2008Committee Meeting February 7, 2008Committee Meeting February 13, 2008Public Meeting #4 February 20, 2008Committee Meeting February 26, 2008


Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee Meetings and Public Meetings

Public Meeting #1 October 30, 2007

Outlined the mandate of the Accommodation Review Committee – Ministry and Board Policies and Guidelines, the Terms of Reference and the process to be followed. Reviewed of March and April 2007 Board Accommodation Reports.

Public Meeting #2 November 29, 2007

Presentation of draft School Valuation Framework documents for St. Christopher, St. David, St. Luke

Public Meeting #3 January 24, 2008

Presentation of accommodation options

Public Meeting #4 February 20, 2008

Draft School Valuation Report – Recommendations for the Director of Education


Hamilton-East ARC – Recommendations School Valuation Frameworks

Based on the review of data from the School Valuation Frameworks for St. David and St. Luke Catholic Elementary School, as well as from input from the Public meetings, the Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee will recommend to the Director of Education that St. David Catholic Elementary School and St. Luke Catholic Elementary School are viable and should not be considered for closure or consolidation.


Review of Options for St. Christopher

At Public Meeting #3 the Hamilton-East ARC indicated to the community that St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School was being considered for possible closure/consolidation based on a review of the data from the School Valuation Frameworks.


The main reason for this option to be considered was based on “Value of the School to the Student”.

Declining enrolment would have a significant impact on the grade structures which would result in triple grades in 2008-2009 and four grades in a class in 2009 – 2010.


JK 6 K 6Grade 1 8Grade 2 5Grade 3 8Grade 4 9 Total EnrolmentGrade 5 12 95Grade 6 13 89FTEGrade 7 19Grade 8 9

2008-2009 St. Christopher Enrolment Including 17 Out of Boundary Students


Class Structure

JK/K Grade 1 14 students – triple grades( 6 JK in a.m. with 8 Grade 1, 6 K in p.m. with 8 Grade 1 )

Grade 2, 3, 4 22 students – triple grades

Grade 5/6 25 students - 2 grades

Grade 7/8 28 students – 2 grades

St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School

2008-2009 - Including Out of Boundary Students


2009-2010St. Christopher – Including Out of Boundary Students

JK 6K 6Grade 1 6Grade 2 8Grade 3 5Grade 4 8Grade 5 9Grade 6 12Grade 7 13Grade 8 19

Enrolment 92 or 86 FTE


2009-2010St. Christopher – Including Out of Boundary Students

JK / K / Grade 1 / Grade 2 = 20

(four grades)

Grade 3 / 4 / 5 = 22

(triple grades)

Grade 6/7 = 25

(cross division combined grades)

Grade 8 = 19

(below contract/funding allocation)


Combined grades Triple grades Four grades in a class Cross divisional classes Different learning environments required for JK/K

and Grade 1 and 2 Wide range of ages within each class Very large number of curriculum expectations Wide range of abilities – students working above

and below grade level – students on an Individual Education Plan, Students with Special Needs, English Language Learners

Challenges


Fewer teachers providing instruction Less opportunities for teacher collaboration Fewer teachers for Supervision Fewer teachers for co-curricular activities Very difficult to plan, teach and assess multiple

curriculum expectations Less opportunity for teacher mentoring Sacramental preparation EQAO Outdoor education/field trips – range of ages

Challenges


The second reason that the option for consolidation/closure of St. Christopher was based on Value to the Board.

The per pupil operating costs for the schools under review in Hamilton East are:

St. Christopher $11, 150 per student St. David $6, 375.43 per student St. Luke $5, 920.94 per student

From the school year 2008-2009 onward, the cost to operate St. Christopher would increase based on the lower number of full time equivalent students and the increasing long term renewal costs.

Estimated cost of renewal projects for St. Christopher over next

10 years = $1,243,332.00

Operating Costs


The Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee discussed the question:

Could an alternative boundary organization offer better long-term opportunities to provide quality educational programs / services and accommodations for students within current fiscal realities?

Possible Boundary Changes


The committee discussed the possible expansion of the St. Christopher boundary from its current boundary to include a larger catchment area – from Kenilworth Avenue to the Red Hill Valley and from King Street to the rail tracks.

The committee accepted the fact that students who were currently residing in the expanded boundary would not want to change schools and attend St. Christopher school.

The committee investigated the possible number of students that may move into the area of the expanded boundary within the next 3-5 years.

Approximately 25 students may move into the expanded boundary area over the next 3-5 years

Possible Boundary Changes


St. Christopher population over the next 3-5 years, based on the CN Watson report

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

83 71 67 64 59

C.N. Watson report excludes out of boundary students.

In September 2008 there would be 17 additional out of boundary students if St. Christopher were to remain open.


If the school remained open for 3-5 years, the expanded boundary would still not boost enrolment at St. Christopher.

All schools in the area surrounding St. Christopher are also facing significant decline in enrolment over the next 3-5 years.

Changing boundaries to help one school will only have a negative impact on another school. Since all the schools in lower east Hamilton are under review due to declining enrolment, changing boundaries was not accepted as a viable solution.


Based on the data from the School Valuation Framework, there are 2884 empty pupil spaces within an 8 km radius of St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School.

This is the equivalent of 28 schools the size of

St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School.

Demographics


The committee was asked to outline a potential boundary re-organization that would meet the range of mandatory and optional programs and ensure long-term program quality for the students.

The committee investigated a boundary change that would see the boundary of St. John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School expanded to include the current St. Christopher student population.


Consolidation St. John the Baptist / St. Christopher’s Possible Class Structures – Scenario 1

JK 20JK/K 20K 20Grade 1 20Grade 1/2 20 (14 + 6)Grade 2 19Grade 3 19Grade 3 19Grade 4 30Grade 4/5 29 (15 + 14)Grade 5 32Grade 6 27Grade 7 29Grade 7 30Grade 8 25Grade 8 25


Consolidation St. John the Baptist / St. ChristopherPossible Class Structure – Scenario 2

JK 20JK/K 20K 20Grade 1 20Grade 1/2 20 (14 + 6)Grade 2 19Grade 3 19Grade 3 19Grade 4 22Grade 4 23Grade 5 23 Grade 5 23Grade 6 27Grade 7 29Grade 7 30Grade 8 25Grade 8 25

Total = 384 or 369 FTE


Benefits of Consolidation

Less combined classes No triple grade classes No classes with 4 grades in one class No cross divisional classes Learning environment can be better organized to

meet needs of students Age range of students within classes more

appropriate More teachers More opportunities for teacher collaboration,

mentoring Curriculum much more manageable


Benefits of Consolidation

Larger, newer gymnasium Newer computer lab Large closed classrooms More students – greater flexibility for

placement of students Students can experience a variety of

teaching styles Next to church


Concerns

Multi-levels Playground space


Additional Costs Transportation –approx. $35,000.00 Upgrades to receiving school

Potential cost savings: 1.2 million dollars in renewal costs Approximately $600,000.00 in annual

salary costs Approximately $35,000.00 in annual

maintenance costs


Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee Recommendations

Based on the findings of the School Accommodation Review process, the Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee is recommending that St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School be closed effective June 30, 2008 and be consolidated with St. John the Baptist effective September, 2008.


The committee recommends that the

current bussing distances – 1.2 km for JK and K students and 1.6 km for Grade 1-8 students be applied to the new boundary subject to the Transportation Policy.


The committee recommends that all out of boundary students currently attending St. Christopher Elementary School be allowed to attend St. John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School effective September 2008.


The committee recommends that

current out of boundary students from St. Christopher be allowed to take the bus to St. John the Baptist if they can be picked up at designated stops provided for St. Christopher students.


The committee recommends that the Board establish the new boundary for St. John the Baptist that will include all or part of the current St. Christopher boundary.

The committee recommends that any current

St. Christopher students and their siblings who live outside of the new catchment boundary for St. John the Baptist area be “grandfathered” to complete their elementary education at St. John the Baptist if they so choose.


The committee recommends that when new boundaries are established by the board, students living within the St. Eugene boundary be provided bus transportation based on the Board Transportation policy – 1.2 km for JK and K students, and 1.6 km for Grade 1-8 students if they elect to attend St. Eugene school.


Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee Recommendations

Information relating to the recommended consolidation of St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School with St. John the Baptist, should be shared with all current families (as well as all newly registered families for 2008-2009) via the Principal by Thursday February 28, 2008.

Parents should be given an opportunity to express possible alternative school placements for consideration for their child/children for September 2008.


The Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee will include possible enhancements to St. John the Baptist in the report to be presented to the Director.

The estimated cost of the possible enhancements would be included in the report.

The possible enhancements would be prioritized in the report and may include upgrades to some classrooms, more air conditioning, possible relocation of the Library Information Centre, and possible relocation of the main office.


In the event that the Board decides to close St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School, the Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee understands that the Board must follow the established Ministry of Education policies relating to the transfer or sale of existing buildings currently owned by the Board.


NEXT STEPS

Committee Meeting - February 26, 2008

The Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee final report to the Director of Education. (February 27, 2008)

The Director of Education reviews all information and prepares a report to be presented to the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees will make a decision

regarding the schools under review. (Possible date May 6, 2008)


NEXT STEPS

If the Board decides to close St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School, the principal of St. Christopher will organize transition activities for the students and families.

Plans to upgrades the receiving school will be developed and implemented based on budget and timelines.

Parents will have an opportunity to participate in a tour of the receiving school.

Plans will be developed for the closing of St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School.


Director’s Office:

905-525-2930 - Emilia Rastelli

Superintendent’s Office

905-525-2930 Ext. 2203

Board Web Sitewww.hwcdsb.ca


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HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE (ARC) PUBLIC MEETING # 4

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