District School Board of Niagara Report of Senior Administration on

District School Board of Niagara
Report of Senior Administration
on the 2011/12
Central and South
St. Catharines and Thorold
Secondary Schools
Accommodation Review
RECOMMENDED MOTION
“That the Board receive the report of Senior Administration on the
Accommodation Review of Central and South St. Catharines and
Thorold Secondary Schools.”
Note: According to Policy F-2: Accommodation Review Guidelines for the Planning of School Program &
Facility Needs, the Board will not act on the recommendations until at least sixty (60) days from the date
the report is tabled with Trustees.
April 10, 2012
Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
Page 1
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD OF NIAGARA REPORT OF SENIOR ADMINISTRATION ON THE 2011/2012 CENTRAL AND SOUTH ST. CATHARINES AND THOROLD SECONDARY SCHOOLS ACCOMMODATION REVIEW BACKGROUND Changes in school‐age population due to elimination of grade 13, declining enrolment and shifts in demographics, aging school facilities, new program opportunities and adjustments to provincial funding have caused schools boards, like the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN), to examine the number of surplus spaces and to develop plans to revitalize educational opportunities in a cost effective way. Population/Demographics In the 1950s and 60s, schools were being built at a tremendous rate to keep pace with the burgeoning “Baby Boomer” generation whose arrival transformed the education system with schools being built in almost every neighbourhood. Now the education system needs to be transformed again, this time to deal with a much lower population growth and the need for fewer and fewer schools. While school boards are sensitive to public sentiment regarding local community schools, they nevertheless need to find ways to deliver 21st Century learning experiences that are meaningful for students and fiscally responsible for all taxpayers. Declining Enrolment Declining enrolment has impacted the majority of school boards across Ontario. In 2009, school boards had 25% more classroom spaces than they currently require and this figure continues to grow. Since 2001, secondary enrolment at the DSBN has declined by approximately 2,125 students and is expected to decline by another 2,500 students by 2021. This represents a reduction of approximately 30% without a corresponding reduction in the number of schools. Factors contributing to Niagara’s population include a decline in the birth rate, the rising Canadian dollar and the negative impact on the manufacturing sector, rising oil and energy prices and new border crossing rules that have impacted on trade and tourism employment. These factors significantly limit employment opportunities in Niagara. While some municipalities are seeing new housing builds, the occupants of these houses are not necessarily families with children. As a result of these factors, in May 2011, Trustees supported a recommendation for a deeper study of Facility Planning at DSBN schools across the region. School Boundaries The DSBN does not ignore its policy on boundaries. The majority of DSBN students attend their home school, with the exception of students who choose to attend alternate schools for programming purposes. Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
Page 2
The reality is that DSBN secondary schools can hold 19,655 secondary students while secondary enrolment currently sits at 13,750 students. Therefore, the DSBN has almost 6,000 empty spaces. Regardless of how boundaries are changed, there are not enough students in Niagara to fill the schools. The cost of staffing, heating, lighting, maintaining and cleaning these under‐utilized schools comes at a high cost to the taxpayer and the DSBN must look for efficiencies. In the past, schools with low enrolment received additional funds (top up funding) from the Ministry to enable them to keep small schools open. In its 2012 Budget report, the Ontario government announced plans to phase out this top up funding beginning in the 2013‐14 school year in order to encourage School Boards to consolidate schools. Facility Use and Related Costs The Ministry of Education funds school boards based on the number of students enrolled in schools. When a school has low enrolment, the costs to the taxpayer of maintaining that school are higher, as each school regardless of size, still requires principals, secretaries, caretakers, and for small schools, often additional teachers to ensure adequate programming. Operations and upkeep of schools are based on enrolment, in the case of a low enrolment school the Board does not receive sufficient funds to pay for the full facility operating costs of the school. Therefore to operate very small and underutilized schools, funds are diverted from other areas. In addition, the DSBN has some of the oldest facilities in Ontario with over 79% of its schools 40 years or older. As schools age, the cost of maintenance rises and DSBN has an inventory of aging facilities that are increasingly in need of renewal. This comes at a cost to the taxpayer. The Accommodation Review process is a means to ensure that funding is spent on enriching educational opportunities for students. What research reveals: School Size DSBN Superintendents spoke with Ken Leithwood, a professor emeritus at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Ken Leithwood is one of the most respected educational authorities in Canada. Leithwood, in the context of Ontario and Niagara, says schools of approximately 600‐
1100 secondary students can do an exemplary job of meeting student needs in Ontario. Leithwood refers to these schools as “small”. A secondary school with fewer than 600 students is what Leithwood would classify as a very small school. These schools have great difficulty in providing students with programming necessary for a comprehensive, 21st Century education. Currently, the DSBN has a number of extremely small schools, three of which are currently under review and are discussed in greater depth in the following report. Program Implications An educated workforce is fundamental to a stable economy. Every student that goes through the education system does so with their own unique aptitudes, talents and career goals. It is the role of the school board to ensure every learner is able to access a variety of engaging programs that matches their interests and abilities while positioning them for future success. The impact of low enrolment on programs can be quite significant. Leithwood argues that offering programming in very small schools drains resources from other, more viable schools. The core curriculum in Ontario is very prescriptive in that the Ministry mandates which programs and courses must be offered. Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
Page 3
As the Ministry funds boards based on their enrolment, having fewer students means these schools cannot afford to provide a sufficient number of teachers to deliver courses. This leads to schools having to resort to offering multi‐grade and multi‐level courses. Dwindling enrolments also limit student choice. Very small schools cannot offer the range of electives that schools with populations of 600‐1100 students can. Therefore, students wishing to access a variety of different courses may be unable to at their home school and they may need to obtain these courses online or at another school if they are required for their post‐secondary studies. For example, very small schools may be restricted in offering anything from Specialist High Skills Majors, to arts programs such as music and dance or even academic courses such as calculus and physics. Student Achievement Research identifies great teachers and innovative teaching strategies as being the factors most closely related to facilitating student achievement. However, school size has a detrimental impact when the schools are so small that they cannot be adequately staffed or offer a sufficient number of programs to match student interests and abilities. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION
RECOMMENDATION
Report of Senior Administration
April 10, 2012
Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
Page 4
After a thorough review of the data, attending Accommodation Review Meetings and listening to school and public input, and following several meetings to discuss, review, and debate the issues, Senior Administration of the District School Board of Niagara presents the following recommendation for the Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review and that it be accepted in its entirety: RECOMMENDATION 1. That Kernahan Park Secondary School be closed for instructional purposes as of August 31, 2013, and a. That students from Kernahan Park Secondary School be redirected to St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School for the school year starting September 2013; b. That St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School be renovated to include an additional science lab and additional technology facilities; and 2. That West Park Secondary School be closed for instructional purposes as of August 31, 2013, and a. That students from West Park Secondary School catchment area be redirected to Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School, effective September 2013; b. That for the purposes of technological studies, students within the current West Park Secondary School catchment area have St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School as their home boundary school effective September 2013; c. That Senior Administration of the District School Board of Niagara investigate the structure and capacity of elementary feeder schools in the West Park Secondary School catchment area to examine the viability of alternate school uses and structures; and 3. That Thorold Secondary School remain open, and a. That a boundary change be initiated to redirect C34, C35 and C36 to Thorold Secondary School effective September 2013; b. That a boundary change be initiated to redirect S24, S25 and S26 to Thorold Secondary School effective September 2013; c. That Thorold Secondary School be retrofitted to support grade 7 and 8 Science and Technology; d. That Senior Administration of the District School Board of Niagara investigate the structure and capacity of elementary feeder schools in the Thorold Secondary School catchment area to examine the viability of alternative school and grade structures; and 4. That the Secondary Extended French (French Immersion) Program be split into two locations; and a. That grade 9 students north of the QEW and located in Sections S17, S18, S19, S20, S21, S22 and S23 attend Extended French (French Immersion) at Governor Simcoe Secondary School effective September 2013 and the program continue to phase in each year to be a grade 9‐
12 program in 2016; b. That students south of the QEW (excluding Sections S17, S18, S19, S20, S21, S22 and S23) within the current (2011) Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School Extended French (French Immersion) catchment area be directed to attend Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School for the purposes of the Extended French (French Immersion) Program. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION
RECOMMENDATIONS WITH
RATIONALE AND COSTING
Report of Senior Administration
April 10, 2012
Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
Page 5
1. That Kernahan Park Secondary School be closed for instructional purposes as of August 31, 2013, and a. That students from Kernahan Park Secondary School be redirected to St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School for the school year starting September 2013; b. That St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School be renovated to include an additional science lab and additional technology facilities. Rationale: Although enrolment is declining across Niagara, and is projected to continue doing so, this trend has had a particularly negative impact on Kernahan Park Secondary School (KPSS). With room for over 750 students, KPSS currently sits half‐empty. In fact, with an enrolment of 361 students in 2011, KPSS has the lowest enrolment of all the secondary schools under review. The passage of time will further exacerbate this problem as enrolment is projected to fall to just 342 students by 2021. As noted earlier in the report preamble, the Ministry of Education funds school boards based on enrolment. As enrolment falls within a school, it becomes increasingly difficult to offer students a wide range of compulsory and elective programs and courses to meet the needs of students. Due to its decline in enrolment, KPSS cannot offer a wide range of appropriate courses, while some classes are forced to be run as multi‐level or multi‐grade offerings. Data indicates that approximately one‐third of KPSS students live within the SCCIVS boundary and would therefore be returning to their home school boundary. In the end, Senior Administration believes that KPSS students will benefit by joining their fellow students at the St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School (SCCIVS)and that the DSBN’s financial resources are best directed towards improving the learning experience for students rather than on the cost of operating and maintaining a half‐empty building. Implications for Students Programming: Senior Administration believes the programs offered at SCCIVS will be a good match for KPSS students, as the school currently offers special needs programming, Specialist High Skills Majors and the essential and workplace programs. To fully align with the programs currently offered by KPSS, Senior Administration is recommending a retrofit of some of SCCIVS's technology spaces to accommodate the Cosmetology and Horticulture programs, as well as an expansion of the Culinary Arts facility. These changes will allow KPSS students to continue accessing the same programs they are currently receiving without interruption. Each year our Special Education Department reviews the programming needs for our Special Needs Students. In addition they also review the school placement as these programs are system wide programs. An extensive transition process is used to ensure success of the movement of individual students and programs. This will continue to be the practice to support special needs students within the review area. Additionally, the increased enrolment at SCCIVS will support an enhanced program for all students as the school would be able to offer a wider range of elective courses to match students’ interests, skills and abilities. Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
Page 6
Staffing: Throughout the Accommodation Review process, KPSS parents have strongly expressed their desire to have their children continue to work with teachers that understand their needs. Senior Administration agrees and, while respecting current collective agreements, every effort will be made to ensure that KPSS students continue to work with the staff that they have grown to trust and rely upon. Accommodation: SCCIVS has more than enough room to accommodate students from KPSS. The building has a current capacity of 1,260 students, and after the arrival of KPSS students in 2013, enrolment is projected to be 1,057. Transition: A transition team made up of students, parents, staff members and school administrators would be established. The role of the transition team is to identify the needs of the affected students and establish strategies to support their success in their new location. The team would also monitor the progress of students and communicate regularly with all stakeholders. Implications for the DSBN Staffing: Staff will be reallocated in accordance with Board policy and existing collective agreements. Over time, staffing reductions would be managed by board‐wide attrition. Cost: To fully accommodate the SSTW program from KPSS, it is necessary to retrofit technology spaces at SCCIVS to include the Cosmetology and Horticulture programs and other technology space enhancements. Facility Services estimates this cost to be approximately $1,875,000. Data indicates that approximately one‐third of KPSS students live within the SCCIVS boundary and would therefore, be returning to their home school area. As the student body will be moving to SCCIVS as a unit, transportation costs are expected to remain approximately the same. Savings: The closure of KPSS would save the DSBN approximately $400,000 annually in maintenance and operating costs. Reductions in school administration and caretaking costs are expected to result in a further annual savings of $650,000. Based on the multiyear facility renewal plan, taxpayers are expected to save over $867,000 in facility renewal costs over the next 5 years. Please see page 13 for a consolidated cost estimate of Senior Administration’s recommendations. Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
Page 7
2. That West Park Secondary School be closed for instructional purposes as of August 31, 2013, and a. That students from West Park Secondary School catchment area be redirected to Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School, effective September 2013; b. That for the purposes of technological studies, students within the current West Park Secondary School catchment area have St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School as their home boundary school effective September 2013; c. That Senior Administration of the District School Board of Niagara investigate the structure and capacity of elementary feeder schools in the West Park Secondary School catchment area to examine the viability of alternate school uses and structures. Rationale: West Park Secondary School (WPSS) has the capacity to accommodate 774 students and had an enrolment of just 405 in September 2011. By 2021, enrolment is expected to shrink to only 300. Upon examination of the enrolment trends, Senior Administration identified two main issues affecting the viability of the school. One is the lack of potential for future growth to support an increased enrolment. At this time, St. Catharines is essentially built out to its western urban service boundary leaving few opportunities for infilling development within the WPSS section of the review area. The second main issue is that of choice. Families in the WPSS area are simply choosing other options for their children. Currently, 97 students from the WPSS area attend Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School (SWCSS) for Extended French (French Immersion), while an additional 117 students attend SWCSS for various other reasons. A further 253 students living within the WPSS boundary attend other DSBN schools. In total, approximately 467 of students living in the WPSS boundary attend alternate secondary schools within the DSBN. The Education Act permits students to attend any secondary school within the Region of Niagara. The Act also permits school boards to establish school boundary areas and the DSBN has supported community schools by creating school boundaries. DSBN has also established Policy and Administrative Procedures that direct students to attend their home school, unless for system‐wide programming reasons, accessibility to programs, or other extraordinary circumstances where an alternate school request is then granted by the Board. Given the decline in enrolment and the resulting negative impact on the school’s program, Senior Administration believes students would be well served by transitioning to SWCSS. Students interested in technological studies would be able to access those programs at SCCIVS as their boundary school for technological studies. Implications for Students: Programming: Due to its falling enrolment, WPSS is forced to offer certain courses in alternate years, while others may not be offered at all, despite appearing on intention sheets during course selection times. Additionally, enrolment numbers at WPSS have forced the school to offer 30 multi‐level or multi‐grade courses, with five courses taken through online learning. The preference for students is to have the option of working face to face with teachers in a classroom setting. Senior Administration believes these issues can be largely alleviated by having WPSS students transition to SWCSS or to SCCIVS for technological studies. By joining schools with larger enrolments, students will have enhanced opportunities for additional choices, access to a greater range of technological programs and far fewer multi‐grade/multi‐ level courses. Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
Page 8
Each year our Special Education Department reviews the programming needs for our Special Needs Students. In addition they also review the school placement as these programs are system wide programs. An extensive transition process is used to ensure success of the movement of individual students and programs. This will continue to be the practice to support special needs students within the review area. Staffing: While respecting current collective agreements, every effort will be made to ensure that WPSS students continue to work with the staff that they have grown to trust and rely upon. Accommodation: There are a large number of students living within the existing WPSS boundary area already attending SWCSS. The Senior Administration recommendation to re‐direct WPSS students to SWCSS will allow both neighbours and siblings to attend the same school. Although SWCSS is currently at capacity, historically, the school has successfully provided adequate space for enhanced enrolment. Two factors within the Senior Administration recommendation will also offset additional enrolment of incoming WPSS students. One is the recommendation to create an Extended French (French Immersion) program at Governor Simcoe Secondary School (GSSS). Starting in 2013, incoming grade 9 Extended French (French Immersion) students living in the north end and those living in boundaries S17, S18, S19, S20, S21, S22 and S23 who normally would attend SWCSS would now be directed to GSSS. The other factor that will equalize enrolment at SWCSS is the creation of SCCIVS as the boundary school for technology studies for the WPSS catchment area. WPSS students wishing to pursue technology studies will have access to a wide range of technology programs at SCCIVS. Transition: A transition team made up of students, parents, staff members and school administrators would be established. The role of the transition team is to identify the needs of the affected students and establish strategies to support their success in their new location. The team would also monitor the progress of students and communicate regularly with all stakeholders. Implications for the DSBN: Staffing: Staff will be reallocated in accordance with Board policy and existing collective agreements. Over time, staffing reductions at the school would be managed by board‐wide attrition. Cost: There are no capital costs associated with this component of the recommendation. Savings: The closure of WPSS would save the DSBN over $475,000 annually in maintenance and operating costs. Reductions in school administration and caretaking costs are expected to result in a further annual savings of $680,000. Based on the multiyear facility renewal plan, taxpayers are expected to save $1,034,000 in facility renewal costs over the next 5 years. Please see page 13 for a consolidated cost estimate of Senior Administration’s recommendations. Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
Page 9
3. That Thorold Secondary School remain open, and a. That a boundary change be initiated to redirect C34, C35 and C36 to Thorold Secondary School effective September 2013; b. That a boundary change be initiated to redirect S24, S25 and S26 to Thorold Secondary School effective September 2013; c. That Thorold Secondary School be retrofitted to support grade 7 and 8 Science and Technology; d. That Senior Administration of the District School Board of Niagara investigate the structure and capacity of elementary feeder schools in the Thorold Secondary School catchment area to examine the viability of alternative school and grade structures. Rationale: There has been considerable debate, both internally and amongst the community, about the potential future of Thorold Secondary School (TSS). The numbers demonstrate that this has been a conversation worth having. TSS has enough space to accommodate 975 students, but its current enrolment sits at 397 students. With enrolment expected to fall to 311 students by 2021, enrolment trends at TSS bear similarities to those at KPSS and WPSS, both of which are being recommended for closure. Senior Administration continues to maintain that such low enrolments prevent schools from offering the breadth and depth of programming that students and their families deserve. We nevertheless believe there are several opportunities to support an increased enrolment and enhanced program at TSS. The first measure being recommended is to adjust the home school boundaries so that students in areas C34, C35 and C36 and S24, S25 and S26 be directed to attend TSS. These changes would create a projected enrolment of 607 students in 2013, which would later fall to 514 in 2021. When reviewing the WPSS catchment area and the surrounding geographic area, there was not a logical opportunity to change boundaries and support WPSS in the same way. Although adjusting the school boundaries would help offset the impacts of declining enrolment, the school would still be left with a significant number of unused student spaces. As part of this recommendation, Senior Administration is recommending a review of elementary schools within the area to examine what creative solutions may be employed to maximize the use of excess space within TSS. For example, if TSS were to become a grade 7‐12 school, a projected additional 336 students (from TSS feeder schools Burleigh Hill, Connaught, Ferndale, Ontario, Prince of Wales, Richmond Street and Westmount Public Schools) would be directed to TSS. This would place the school near full capacity; although it should be noted that this solution would impact the future viability of some feeder schools within the area. It should be noted that placing grade 7 and 8 students at TSS will not enhance secondary programming within the school. By attending grade 7 and grade 8 at TSS, students will establish a connection to staff and the school prior to entering grade 9. Despite these measures, Senior Administration continues to believe that the key to the long term success of TSS lies in attracting and retaining the students currently living within the catchment area. Currently, over two hundred students living within the TSS boundary (approximately 34%) are choosing alternate DSBN public schools to meet their programming needs. Implications for Students: Programming: With increased enrolment students can expect to benefit from additional course offerings and fewer multi‐
level, multi‐grade courses. Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
Page 10
Staffing: As staffing is connected to enrolment numbers, an increase in enrolment will result in the reallocation of teachers and support staff to TSS according to the staffing process of the collective agreement. Accommodation: TSS has ample room to accommodate additional students. The current capacity of TSS is 975. The boundary change is projected to reduce the number of surplus pupil spaces by 248 at TSS in 2013. Transition: A transition team made up of students, parents, staff members and school administrators would be established. The role of the transition team is to identify the needs of the affected students and establish strategies to support their success in their new location. The team would also monitor the progress of students and communicate regularly with all stakeholders. Implications for the DSBN: Cost: Operating, school administration and caretaking service costs would remain at or slightly above existing levels. Please see page 13 for a consolidated cost estimate of Senior Administration’s recommendations. Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
Page 11
4. That the Secondary Extended French (French Immersion) Program be split into two locations; and a. That grade 9 students north of the QEW and located in Sections S17, S18, S19, S20, S21, S22 and S23 (refer to Appendix A‐1) attend Extended French (French Immersion) at Governor Simcoe Secondary School effective September 2013 and the program continue to phase in each year to be a grade 9‐12 program in 2016; b. That students south of the QEW (excluding Sections S17, S18, S19, S20, S21, S22 and S23) within the current (2011) Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School Extended French (French Immersion) catchment area be directed to attend Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School for the purposes of the Extended French (French Immersion) Program. Rationale: Throughout the Accommodation Review, both parents and students were very emphatic about the need to retain Extended French (French Immersion) programming at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School (SWCSS). Many felt that moving the program in its entirety would not be in their children’s best interests. Senior Administration supports keeping an Extended French (French Immersion) program at SWCSS, but also feels there is an opportunity to support an additional program at a north end school. During the Accommodation Review process, it was suggested that if the program were to be relocated, a north end location should be considered. An examination of the enrolment numbers shows that 167 students attending SWCSS for Extended French (French Immersion) come from the north end of the city. By redirecting those students, and extending the boundary to S17, S18, S19, S20, S21, S22 and S23, the DSBN can create a second, viable Extended French (French Immersion) program of approximately 200 students at Governor Simcoe Secondary School (GSSS). By locating Extended French (French Immersion) at GSSS, more students would remain closer to their home school boundaries, which would result in less time on the bus. A north‐end Extended French (French Immersion) program also creates alignment with the DSBN’s elementary Extended French (French Immersion) program locations at Dalewood Public School and Sheridan Park Public School. Students south of the QEW (excluding those in S17, S18, S19, S20, S21, S22 and S23) would continue to access Extended French (French Immersion) at SWCSS. Approximately 200 Extended French (French Immersion) students would remain at SWCSS, which aligns with enrolment numbers at the other three DSBN high schools that offer Extended French (French Immersion) programming. It is important to note that this recommendation would not impact any students currently attending the Extended French (French Immersion) program at SWCSS. Those students who are currently enrolled in the Extended French (French Immersion) at SWCSS will be able to continue their program and graduate as Bulldogs. Implications for Students: Programming: Students directed to GSSS will continue to receive the same quality program and instruction at their new location. Accommodation: GSSS has ample space to accommodate students in the Extended French (French Immersion) program. Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
Page 12
Transition: A transition team made up of students, parents, staff members and school administrators would be established. The role of the transition team is to identify the needs of the affected students and establish strategies to support their success in their new location. The team would also monitor the progress of students and communicate regularly with all stakeholders. Implications for the DSBN: Staffing: Staff will be allocated as per existing collective agreements and Board policy. Cost: There are no capital costs associated with this aspect of Senior Administration recommendation. Operating, school administration and caretaking service costs would remain at or slightly above existing levels. Savings: Senior Administration anticipates there will be modest savings in transportation. Overall, Senior Administration’s recommendations will result in a net benefit to the taxpayer. Please see page 13 for a consolidated cost estimate of Senior Administration’s recommendations. Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
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Estimated Costing - Senior Administration Option
ESTIMATED FINANCIAL CENTRAL AND SOUTH ST. CATHARINES AND THOROLD SECONDARY SCHOOLS ACCOMMODATION REVIEW ESTIMATED COST TO THE BOARD Capital Annual (One Time) Retrofit to St. Catharines Collegiate $1,875,000 Retrofit to Thorold SS $250,000 Retrofit for Special Needs $350,000 Top Up Allocation $279,772 School Foundation Funding $302,031 Total Estimated Cost $2,475,000 $581,803 ESTIMATED SAVINGS FOR THE BOARD Attrition of Staff ‐ Administration & Secretarial $632,850 ‐ Caretaking $442,623
Utility, Property and Maintenance Costs $867,194
(closure of Kernahan Park/West Park) Transportation $78,000 Total Estimated Savings $2,020,667 POTENTIAL REVENUE FOR THE BOARD Sale of Kernahan Park TBD Sale of West Park TBD Total Potential Revenue TBD ESTIMATED SAVINGS TO THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Annual Top Up Allocation $279,772 School Foundation Funding $302,031 5‐Year Facility Renewal Costs (Kernahan Park/West Park) $1,901,000 Total $1,901,000 $581,803 Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
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Summary As noted throughout this report, declining enrolment continues to have a significant effect on the DSBN’s operations. Under the current funding formula established by the province, drops in enrolment have detrimental effects on schools’ abilities to offer a wide range of dynamic and innovative programs. When considering the decline in student population, coupled with the fact that the DSBN has some of the oldest school facilities in all of Ontario, it becomes clear that the status quo is not acceptable. As such, it is important that the DSBN use the tools at its disposal to examine creative solutions that will reenergize public education in Niagara in a long‐term, sustainable fashion. Although Accommodation Reviews represent an important planning tool for school boards, they are never easy. Discussions around the future of schools naturally elicit very strong reactions from everyone involved. The DSBN is deeply appreciative of all the students, parents, municipal partners and community stakeholders who have taken time to engage in this process and provide constructive feedback along the way. In these recommendations, Senior Administration has made a concerted effort to take into account the needs of students, parents and the communities while remaining focused on the Board’s mission of “working together to inspire, empower and support all learners to achieve their full potential.” While the decision is difficult, these recommendations represent a way forward that will give students greater access to additional elective courses, expanded technology offerings and other programs that will support their future success. Given today’s economic climate and the challenges currently facing the province, it is essential for school boards to find ways to innovate while respecting the taxpayer’s ability to pay. Senior Staff believe these recommendations strike a fair balance between the needs of students and the economic constraints the Board must operate under. If adopted, these recommendations are estimated to save taxpayers more than $2.0 million dollars annually. As the largest public school board in Niagara, the DSBN recognizes the importance of schools to the communities they serve. However, the primary purpose of our schools is to serve the educational needs of the more than 38,000 students that walk through their doors every day. From the level of engagement in the Accommodation Review of secondary schools in Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold, it is clear that the community is passionate about education. It is Senior Administration’s sincere hope that students, parents, municipal partners and community stakeholders will continue to work with the DSBN with a shared goal of continued excellence in public education. Recommended Motion “That the Board receive the report of Senior Administration on the Accommodation Review of Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools.” APPENDICES
Report of Senior Administration
April 10, 2012
Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION REPORT 2011/2012
CENTRAL AND SOUTH ST. CATHARINES AND THOROLD SECONDARY SCHOOLS
ACCOMMODATION REVIEW
APPENDICES INDEX
Appendix Title
Boundary Map - Accommodation Review Area
Appendix A-1
Kernahan Park - Historical and Projected Enrolment
Appendix A-2
Sir Winston Churchill - Historical and Projected Enrolment - Regular Program
Appendix A-3
Sir Winston Churchill - Historical and Projected Enrolment Extended French (French Immersion)
Appendix A-4
St. Catharines Collegiate - Historical and Projected Enrolment
Appendix A-5
Thorold Secondary School - Historical and Projected Enrolment
Appendix A-6
West Park Secondary School - Historical and Projected Enrolment
Appendix A-7
Proposed Boundary for Regular Programming
Appendix B-1
Proposed Boundary for Extended French (French Immersion)
Appendix B-2
Recommended Option - Projected Enrolment
(Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School and St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and
Vocational School)
Recommended Option - Projected Enrolment
(Thorold Secondary School and Governor Simcoe Secondary School)
Appendix
Appendix B-3
Appendix B-4
St. Catharines Collegiate Renovations - Program Project Estimated Cost Summary
Appendix C-1
St. Catharines Collegiate Ground Floor Plan
Appendix C-2
St. Catharines Collegiate Second Floor Plan
Appendix C-3
St. Catharines Collegiate Third Floor Plan
Appendix C-4
Thorold Secondary School Proposed Renovations Overall Floor Plan
Appendix D-1
Accommodation Review Committee – Recommendation 1
Appendix E-1
Accommodation Review Committee – Recommendation 1 - Estimated Costing
Appendix E-2
Accommodation Review Committee – Recommendation 2
Appendix E-3
Accommodation Review Committee – Recommendation 2 - Estimated Costing
Appendix E-4
Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX A‐1
CENTRAL AND SOUTH ST. CATHARINES AND THOROLD SECONDARY SCHOOLS ACCOMMODATION REVIEW BOUNDARY MAP Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX A‐2 Kernahan Park Secondary School Historical and Projected Enrolment Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 9 120 113 88 81 81 78 70 62 54 81 80 80 81 74 81 77 76 73 70 10
134
123
117
96
92
99
79
84
67
54
81
80
80
81
74
81
77
76
73
11
116
127
106
110
98
80
89
82
91
67
54
81
80
80
81
74
81
77
76
12 141 157 148 149 143 155 142 160 149 141 105 83 124 123 122 126 115 127 122 Total
533
534
469
446
427
425
390
388
361
343
319
323
364
358
358
358
348
353
342
Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX A‐3
Sir Winston Churchill SS ‐ Enrolment Projections ‐ Regular Program 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 9 153 111 141 141 115 142 134 141 97 130 122 130 90 102 127 111 100 108 104 10 129 160 122 149 142 134 153 142 147 102 136 128 136 95 107 133 117 105 114 11 140 126 154 123 155 152 145 168 150 154 107 143 134 143 99 113 140 122 110 12 211 179 199 202 191 226 196 212 226 210 216 150 200 188 200 139 158 196 171 Total 633 576 616 615 603 654 628 663 620 596 581 550 561 528 533 496 514 531 500 Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX A‐4
Sir Winston Churchill SS Historical and Projected Extended French (French Immersion) Enrolment Sir Winston Churchill SS ‐ Enrolment Projection – Extended French (French Immersion) Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 9 71 90 92 100 130 104 136 129 135 133 131 113 130 118 124 118 116 116 116 10
48
66
79
86
87
114
90
132
113
130
128
125
108
125
113
119
113
112
112
11
60
46
60
70
80
77
101
81
119
108
124
123
120
104
120
109
114
109
107
12
40
67
40
50
57
63
69
72
61
95
87
100
98
96
83
96
87
91
87
Total 219 269 271 306 354 358 396 414 428 466 469 460 457 443 440 442 431 428 422 Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX A‐5
Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School Historical and Projected Enrolment 9 10 11 12 178 187 196 304 186 193 197 328 138 185 185 340 121 151 179 335 128 152 203 340 108 148 173 388 130 112 171 398 85 128 126 392 87 103 145 361 88 94 108 363 66 96 99 271 83 72 101 248 85 89 75 252 70 92 94 188 70 75 97 236 70 75 80 243 68 76 79 199 65 74 80 199 67 71 78 200 Total 865 904 848 786 823 817 811 731 696 654 532 503 501 445 478 468 423 418 415 Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX A‐6
Thorold SS Historical and Projected Enrolment Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 9 116 107 105 79 95 81 77 85 78 85 68 82 73 68 71 72 61 68 10 140 117 114 108 88 86 96 78 83 80 87 69 84 75 69 73 73 63 11 105 138 114 109 116 95 90 88 77 83 80 87 69 84 75 69 73 73 12 195 158 204 189 192 191 168 147 159 123 133 128 137 110 133 120 111 117 Total 556 520 537 485 491 453 431 398 397 371 368 366 364 337 349 334 319 321 2021 61 70 63 117 311 Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX A‐7
West Park SS Historical and Projected Enrolment Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 9 126 155 144 117 134 129 100 73 73 78 77 69 73 72 78 78 75 65 62 10
130
102
147
142
114
124
123
100
71
72
76
76
68
72
71
77
77
74
63
11
96
126
103
144
137
99
117
117
96
68
68
72
72
64
68
67
73
73
70
12
152
127
149
133
169
186
170
159
165
137
96
97
104
103
92
98
95
105
104
Total 504 510 543 536 554 538 510 449 405 354 318 314 317 311 309 320 320 315 300 Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX B‐1 PROPOSED BOUNDARY FOR REGULAR PROGRAMMING Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX B‐2 PROPOSED BOUNDARY FOR EXTENDED FRENCH (FRENCH IMMERSION) PROGRAM Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
RECOMMENDED OPTION PROJECTED ENROLMENT CLOSE KERNAHAN PARK AND WEST PARK APPENDIX B‐3
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
9
270
232
263
187
181
161
164
188
174
163
164
160
9
85
87
88
148
151
155
142
150
146
143
134
131
10
274
260
232
275
205
199
177
180
207
191
179
182
10
128
103
94
181
163
169
177
157
167
163
159
151
Sir Winston Churchill
11
12 Total
Capacity % Capacity
249
284
1077
828
130.1%
269
287
1048
828
126.6%
262
305
1062
828
128.3%
221
375
1058
828
127.8%
249
330
965
828
116.6%
178
379
917
828
110.7%
175
321
837
828
101.1%
150
313
831
828
100.4%
155
273
809
828
97.7%
180
282
816
828
98.5%
163
327
833
828
100.6%
152
303
796
828
96.1%
St. Catharines Collegiate
11
12 Total
126 392 731
145 361 696
108 363 654
181 338 848
210 295 818
190 339 853
200 286 805
204 323 834
184 333 830
195 285 786
192 297 781
189 294 764
Capacity % Capacity
1,260
58.0%
1,260
55.2%
1,191
54.9%
1,191
71.2%
1,191
68.7%
1,191
71.6%
1,191
67.6%
1,191
70.0%
1,191
69.7%
1,191
66.0%
1,191
65.6%
1,191
64.2%
Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX B‐4
RECOMMENDED OPTION PROJECTED ENROLMENT CLOSE KERNAHAN PARK AND WEST PARK Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
9
85
78
85
133
161
143
130
142
138
124
131
124
9
190
130
176
266
227
252
227
219
212
214
228
225
10
78
83
80
148
121
144
127
119
127
125
111
117
10
212
189
129
177
253
215
238
215
206
200
202
216
Thorold SS
11
12 Total
88
147
77
159
83
123
130
196
148
182
121
197
141
156
125
191
118
172
127
159
124
169
108
165
Capacity % Capacity
398
975
40.8%
397
975
40.7%
371
975
38.1%
607
975
62.3%
612
975
62.7%
605
975
62.1%
554
975
56.9%
577
975
59.2%
555
975
57.0%
535
975
54.9%
535
975
54.9%
514
975
52.8%
Governor Simcoe
11
12 Total
Capacity % Capacity
256
313
971
912
106.5%
206
349
874
912
95.8%
187
321
813
912
89.1%
136
277
856
912
93.8%
186
200
866
912
95.0%
264
275
1006
912
110.3%
225
341
1032
912
113.1%
249
288
971
912
106.5%
225
320
963
912
105.6%
215
290
918
912
100.6%
209
273
911
912
99.9%
211
267
918
912
100.7%
Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX C‐1 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
ST. CATHARINES COLLEGIATE ACCOMMODATION REVIEW RENOVATIONS Program Project Estimated Cost Summary Cosmetology Renovations Culinary Arts including 2nd Kitchen Area, Baking & Restaurant Transportation 2nd Shop Alterations Horticulture Room Alterations Elementary D&T Relocation and Renovations Technology Shop (Conversion of Existing Caretaking Area) Science Lab Renovations Total Estimated Project Cost = $1,750,000 Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX C‐2
ST. CATHARINES COLLEGIATE GROUND FLOOR PLAN Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
ST. CATHARINES COLLEGIATE SECOND FLOOR PLAN APPENDIX C‐3
Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX C‐4
ST. CATHARINES COLLEGIATE THIRD FLOOR PLAN Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX D‐1
THOROLD SECONDARY SCHOOL PROPOSED RENOVATIONS OVERALL FLOOR PLAN Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX E‐1
ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AND COSTING ARC Recommendation 1 1. That Kernahan Park Secondary School be closed for instructional purposes as of August 31, 2013 and that the students be consolidated into St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School. and 2. That Thorold Secondary School be closed for instructional purposes as of August 31, 2013 and the students be consolidated into Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School. and 3. That the Extended French (French Immersion) Program be relocated to West Park Secondary School as of August 31, 2013. and 4. That the St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School be retrofitted to accommodate classrooms into science labs and the areas be retrofitted for the Specialized School‐to‐Work Program (SSTW). and 5. That students within the current Thorold Secondary School catchment area have St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School as their home boundary school for the purposes of technological studies, effective September, 2013. Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX E‐2
Estimated Costing – ARC Recommendation 1 Capital (One Time) $1,750,000 0 $3,119,000 ESTIMATED COST TO THE BOARD Retrofit to St. Catharines Collegiate Renovation to West Park Renewal – Sir Winston Churchill, St. Catharines Collegiate, West Park
Transportation Costs Top Up Allocation School Foundation Funding Total Estimated Cost ESTIMATED SAVINGS FOR THE BOARD Attrition of Staff ‐ Administration & Secretarial ‐ Caretaking Utility, Property and Maintenance Costs (closure of Kernahan Park/Thorold SS) Total Estimated Savings POTENTIAL REVENUE FOR THE BOARD Sale of Kernahan Park Sale of Thorold SS Total Potential Revenue ESTIMATED SAVINGS TO THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Top Up Allocation School Foundation Funding 5‐Year Facility Renewal Costs (Kernahan Park/Thorold SS) Total *net cost to Board until adjustment by Ministry funding $4,869,000 Annual *$38,000 $415,637 $269,802
$723,439 $632,850 $426,446
$801,270
$1,860,566 TBD TBD TBD Annual $415,637 $269,802
$2,282,000 $2,282,000 $685,439 Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX E‐3
ARC Recommendation 2 1. That Kernahan Park Secondary School be closed for instructional purposes as of August 31, 2013 and that the students be consolidated into St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School. and 2. That West Park Secondary School be closed for instructional purposes as of August 31, 2013. and 3. That the boundary areas W1‐W5, W8, W9 be redirected to St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School. and 4. That the boundary areas W6, W7, W10‐W16 be redirected to Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School. and 5. That the students in boundary areas C34‐C36 and S24‐S26 be redirected to Thorold Secondary School. and 6. That St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School be retrofitted to accommodate the SSTW Program. and 7. That temporary portables be placed at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School if required. and 8. That the Extended French (French Immersion) Program remain at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School. and 9. That students within the current West Park Secondary School catchment area have St. Catharines Collegiate Institute and Vocational School as their home boundary school for the purposes of technological studies, effective September, 2013. Report of Senior Administration on the 2011/12
Central and South St. Catharines and Thorold Secondary Schools Accommodation Review
APPENDIX E‐4
Estimated Costing ‐ Recommendation 2 ESTIMATED COST TO THE BOARD Retrofit to St. Catharines Collegiate Renovation to Thorold SS Renewal – Sir Winston Churchill, St. Catharines Collegiate, Thorold SS Transportation Costs Top Up Allocation School Foundation Funding Total Estimated Cost ESTIMATED SAVINGS FOR THE BOARD Attrition of Staff ‐ Administration & Secretarial ‐ Caretaking Utility, Property and Maintenance Costs (closure of Kernahan Park/West Park) Total Estimated Savings POTENTIAL REVENUE FOR THE BOARD Sale of Kernahan Park Sale of West Park Total Potential Revenue ESTIMATED SAVINGS TO THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Top Up Allocation School Foundation Funding 5‐Year Facility Renewal Costs (Kernahan Park/West Park) Total Capital Annual (One Time) $2,000,000 $3,650,000 *$ $263,686
$268,519
$5,650,000 $532,205 $632,850 $442,623 $867,194
TBD TBD TBD $1,942,667
Annual $263,686 $268,519
$1,901,000 $1,901,000 $532,205