How long will this process take?
Why does the Initial Staff Report recommend closing Credit View Public School, when it has the highest utilization rate among the Caledon elementary PAR schools? What is involved in the PAR process?
What will be the impact of the review on students, staff and the community? What is the proposed schedule for PAR meetings and activities? What opportunities exist to provide feedback? What will you do with the school and land if you close a school? How will this affect staff at the affected schools? How is Alloa expected to grow over the next decade with all the new development in the area? How can I get updates and get involved in this process?
FAQ
What is a Pupil Accommodation Review?
A Pupil Accommodation Review (PAR) is a public consultation process mandated by the Ministry of Education that boards must follow when considering school consolidation or closures. This process is completed to determine if school buildings are being best utilized in areas with low enrolment and substantial excess space.
Which schools are included in the Caledon elementary PAR?
At the Regular Meeting of Board on Nov. 22, Peel District School Board trustees approved a recommendation to begin a PAR process for select schools in the Caledon community. As a result, a PAR has been approved for the following public schools:
- Alloa Public School
- Alton Public School
- Belfountain Public School
- Caledon Central Public School
- Credit View Public School
What are the potential changes to our school community?
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Close Credit View Public School at the end of the 2016-17 school year.
Enrolment at Credit View has continued to decline to the point where, because enrolment is spread over 10 grades (JK-8), every grade is split, and no grade has more than 13 students, resulting in limited organizational opportunities and social interaction for students within their cohort. Six grades have less than 10 students. One grade has only two students. As a result, staff is recommending closing Credit View Public School. Upon consultation with affected unions and communities, it was determined that a closure by the end of the 2016-17 school year was reasonable and in the best interest of students and their families.
If approved, effective September 2017, Credit View students in kindergarten to grade 6 would be redirected to Belfountain Public School, and grade 7 to 8 students would attend Alloa Public School. By redirecting Credit View students to Belfountain Public School for kindergarten to grade 6, and then to Alloa Public School for grades 7 and 8, families within the same community are able to attend the same schools.
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Change the boundaries of Alton and Belfountain Public School to better geographically align the boundaries.
See attached maps to view recommended boundary changes. Effective September 2017, students living in the shaded area would attend Alton Public School for kindergarten to grade 6. Current Belfountain students in grade 5 would be provided the option of remaining at Belfountain for the 2017-18 school year, along with their siblings. For the 2018-19 school year, grade 6 students would move on to Caledon Central for grade 7 and 8, and their younger siblings would be directed to Alton.
It's important to note that these recommendations are just that—no firm decisions have been made.
What recommendations were made in the Initial Staff Report?
The PAR process begins with staff recommendations presented to trustees in an Initial Staff Report. This report was presented to the Board of Trustees on Dec. 12, 2016, and recommended closing Credit View Public School and relocating students to available space at Belfountain and Caledon Central public schools. Redirection of students to Alloa Public School and a boundary change between Alton and Belfountain public schools was also recommended to better geographically align the boundaries between the schools.
These recommendations were presented to affected school communities for input. Based on this input, staff developed the Final Staff Report with revised recommendations.
Why has the Peel board identified these schools as a review area for potential consolidation?
Enrolment at Credit View has continued to decline to the point where, because enrolment is spread over 10 grades (JK-8), every grade is split, and no grade has more than 13 students, resulting in limited organizational opportunities and social interaction for students within their cohort. Six grades have less than 10 students. One grade has only two students.
When a school has low enrolment and substantial excess space, the school still requires funding for maintenance and operation. One of the key responsibilities of school boards is to ensure the effective and efficient use of space. The Peel board must make decisions about the best accommodation options for students relative to program needs and the funding that is available from the Ministry of Education.
Why has the board decided to use a modified PAR process?
There are two factors present in this accommodation review that satisfied the requirements to proceed with a modified PAR:
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Utilization of 60% or less of a facility (Alton (42%) and Belfountain (57%) public schools)
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Less than 200 students enrolled at an elementary school (Alton, Belfountain and Credit View public schools)
The modified PAR process may allow for the recommended changes to be implemented in time for the 2017-18 school year (if staffing timelines permit). This would avoid another year of low enrolment and school organizational challenges at Credit View Public School.
How long will this process take?
A modified PAR process takes approximately four months to complete. The accommodation review is scheduled to conclude in April 2017.
If approved, when would the recommendations come into effect?
It's important to note that the PAR recommendations will not be implemented during the 2016-17 school year. If the recommendations in the Final Staff Report are approved, transition planning will begin Spring 2017 and implementation will commence September 2017.
Why does the Initial Staff Report and Final Staff Report recommend closing Credit View Public School, when it has the highest utilization rate among the Caledon elementary PAR schools?
The Peel board is committed to keeping staff and parents informed. Through the ARC, the community will be well-informed of the process and timelines. There will be opportunities for genuine input and discussion at two public meetings, with the first one taking place in June.
What is involved in the PAR process?
The PAR process is divided into three components:
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Initial Staff Report – The Initial Staff Report is prepared by board staff and presented to the board of trustees. It contains one or more recommendations to address an accommodation issue within a community. Each recommendation includes:
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a summary of accommodation issue(s) for the school(s) under review
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where students would be accommodated
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if proposed changes to existing facility or facilities are required as a result of the pupil accommodation review
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any program changes as a result of the proposed option
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how student transportation would be affected if changes take place
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if new capital investment is required as a result of the pupil accommodation review, how the school board intends to fund this, as well as a proposal on how students would be accommodated if funding does not become available
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a timeline for implementation
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Community consultation – Community consultation is an important part of the PAR process. The Peel board's PAR policy requires that we hold one public meeting as part of the modified PAR process where families and members of the public will have the opportunity for genuine input and discussion.
- Throughout this entire process, feedback can also be submitted to par@peelsb.com. Feedback received will be included in the Community Consultation section of the Final Staff Report.
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Final Staff Report – At the conclusion of the PAR process, school board staff will submit a Final Staff Report to the Board of Trustees. After the Final Staff Report is submitted on Feb. 28, 2017, individuals or groups will have an opportunity to express their opinions by delegating the Board of Trustees at a Regular Meeting of the Board. Trustees have the discretion to approve the recommendation(s) of the Final Staff Report as presented, modify the recommendation(s) of the Final Staff Report, or to approve a different outcome.
What will be the impact of the review on students, staff and the community?
Each school in the PAR remains committed to helping students be successful—that has not changed. During the review, each school will continue to receive the same staffing, resources and support. If any changes come out of this accommodation review, the board will work to ensure an effective transition for affected students and their families.
What is proposed schedule for PAR meetings and activities?
The proposed schedule of PAR activities is as follows:
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December 12, 2016 |
Initial Staff Report to Board recommending a Modified PAR |
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February 6, 2017 | Public Meeting to present Initial Staff Report
Belfountain Public School, 7 - 9 p.m.
View: flyer, minutes, presentation |
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February 28, 2017 | Final Staff Report to Board for Receipt |
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March 22, 2017 | Public Delegations to Regular Meeting of the Board |
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April 12, 2017 | Final Staff Report to Board for Approval |
What opportunities exist to provide feedback?
Community consultation is an important part of the PAR process. A public meeting was held on Feb. 6, 2017 to collect feedback from affected families and community members. This input helped to shape the Final Staff Report, which was submitted to trustees on Feb. 28, 2017 for receipt.
After Feb. 28, 2017, individuals or groups can express their opinions by delegating the Board of Trustees at the Regular Meeting of the Board on March 22, 2017. The meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the HJA Brown Education Centre, located at 5650 Hurontario St. in Mississauga. Requests to delegate must be submitted by March 15, 2017 at 4 p.m. Visit www.peelschools.org/trustees/delegations for next steps.
Throughout this entire process, feedback can also be submitted to par@peelsb.com.
What will you do with the school and land if you close a school?
If a school is closed as part of a PAR process, the board will determine if the land can be utilized for other purposes or as a future school site, or will decide to pursue the disposition of the school/surplus land, as per Education Act, Regulation 444/98.
How will this affect staff at the affected schools?
The Peel board will be working closely with its federation and unions to provide any support and assistance needed to employees impacted in this process. If the recommendations are approved by trustees, The Peel board has a signed letter of understanding with the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), which has been shared with staff at affected schools. Should the recommendation to close Credit View Public School be approved, as of June 30, 2017, staffing will be conducted in accordance with amendments to the regular staffing process that has been agreed upon by the board and ETFO. Should any new positions arise in the schools receiving Credit View students, teaching staff from Credit View would have the option of being placed, in seniority order, into the new positions generated at these receiving school locations. Any remaining positions would be posted and filled as per the board’s regular staffing process.
How is Alloa expected to grow over the next decade with all the new development in the area?
As of December 2016, Alloa had an enrolment of 455 students (69% capacity). If the recommendations are approved and staffing timelines permit the changes to be implemented for September 2017, Alloa's projected enrolment would be 515 students (82% capacity) in September 2017 and 693 students (111% capacity) in September 2018. Board staff review enrolment projections every year through its annual planning processes. When enrolment exceeds available space at a school, planning staff will make recommendations to help relieve enrolment pressures, which may include boundary reviews and possibly a new school.
How can I get updates and get involved in this process?
All information about the accommodation review will be posted on the Peel board website at www.peelschools.org. Updates will be communicated via the board website, affected school websites, synrevoice messages and/or letters to all affected schools, and social media (Twitter and Facebook).
Staff, families and the general public may also submit questions and feedback to par@peelsb.com. A response will be provided within 48 hours of receiving questions and/or feedback.