considering school closure riverside elementary school parent meeting april 27, 2009

Considering School Closure

Riverside Elementary School

Parent Meeting

April 27, 2009


The Board of Education of School District No. 42 (Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows) has begun a process that will possibly result in the closure of one or more elementary schools.

District staff are currently focusing on the possibility of closing Riverside elementary school effective September, 2009.


BACKGROUND

•May 2007 - Cornerstone Report recommends closure of at least three elementary schools. •2007/08 - District conducts consultation process concerning the possible closure of three elementary schools, including Riverside.

•May 2008 - The Board decides not to consider school closures at that time.

•April 2009 – After looking at various options the Board approves a series of motions involving the possible closure of three schools, including Riverside.


Q. What is happening to Riverside English enrolment?

A. The English enrolment at Riverside has been steadily declining for the past five years

2004-05 272

2005-06 253

2006-07 222

2007-08 180

2008-09 142

2009-10(registered) 123


Q. How many students was the school built for?

A. Riverside was built to house 471 students.

The current English enrolment of 142 is 30% of the school’s rated capacity

Next year’s anticipated English enrolment of 123 is 26% of the school’s rated capacity


Q. How many students attending Riverside live in Riverside catchment?

A. Currently only 79 Riverside students (in the English program) actually live in the Riverside catchment.

2004-05 137

2005-06 133

2006-07 118

2007-08 98

2008-09 79

Considering School ClosureOn April 8, 2009 the Board considered a number of options regarding the possible closure of one or more elementary schools.

After considering the options, the Board approved a series of motions that resulted in the following:

1. Riverside to be considered for closure (possibly involving amalgamation with Maple Ridge)

2. Mount Crescent to be considered for closure (possibly involving amalgamation with Glenwood)

3. Webster's Corner to be considered for closure (possibly involving amalgamation with Blue Mountain)


Q. What is the difference between amalgamation and closure?

A. With amalgamation, the ‘receiving’ school would be expected to accept students from the ‘closing’ school to the extent possible.

With closure, parents could choose to enrol their children at any school where space is available. Every effort would be made to accommodate their wishes, but no single school would be expected to enrol all or most of the ‘closing’ school population.


NEXT STEPS

District staff are currently focusing on the possibility of closing Riverside elementary school effective September, 2009.

On Monday, April 27, the Board and senior administration staff will meet with parents and staff of Riverside elementary school to provide information and receive input.

On Wednesday, April 29, the Board will consider recommendations regarding the closure of Riverside in 2009 or 2010, as well as a longer range plan for other schools.


Q. If Riverside closes, where will students go?

A. If Riverside closes, parents can register their children at any school where space is available. The District will make every effort to accommodate parent choice. However, there are some schools where it might not be possible to accept new students.


SCHOOLBlue MountainWebster’s CornerMount CrescentGlenwoodEric LangtonHighland ParkRIVERSIDEHammondMaple RidgeDavie JonesWhonnockYennadonAlouetteAlbionFairviewEdith McDermottHarry HoogeKanaka CreekPitt MeadowsLaity ViewAlexander RobinsonGolden Ears

COST PER STUDENT*10,2159,9629,6989,4449,2468,7178,3018,2978,2568,2367,9997,8467,8127,6157,4947,4037,3357,2237,2197,1617,0917,035

Q. Do small schools cost more to run?

A. Generally speaking, Yes. Total educational costs tend to be greater in smaller schools

*Costs include: •salaries and benefits •ESL costs •transportation •supplies and services •student support services •teacher on call •international education •maintenance •aboriginal education•overhead

ENROLMENT163106193163311311.5193.5368.5406255.5223471362.5539.5306343341520.5492539522.5440.5

Considering School ClosureQ. What are the benefits of closing schools?

A. School closure can have benefits for all students in the District.

•It is more challenging to deal with class size and composition issues in smaller schools

•In larger schools, students are exposed to a wider range of program options

•More resources in general are available in larger schools

•School closure will help the District qualify for funding to build new schools

Considering School ClosureQ. Is there any indication that enrolment could increase at Riverside ?

A. All our projection methods show that Riverside enrolment will continue to decline for several years and will never return to previous levels.

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

YEAR

PROJECTED ENROLMENT

126 114 103 101 102 105 107 106 108 111 111 112 114

Which catchment areas do Riverside students come from?

considering school closure riverside elementary school parent meeting april 27, 2009

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