hamilton west accommodation review committee

HAMILTON WEST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE


PUBLIC MEETING #3

Cathedral High School

Monday, May 5, 2008

7 P.M.


AGENDA Prayer Welcome Introduction of Committee Members Background Hamilton West Accommodation

Review Committee - Options Discussion - Questions Adjournment - 8:30 p.m.


Hamilton West Accommodation Review Committee Members

Chair – Corrado Ciapanna

Superintendent of Education

Trustee – Louis Agro

Wards 1 & 2



St. Joseph

Principal – Flora Nordoff

Catholic School Council – Dan Lagan

Community Rep. – Peter Giorgini



St. Lawrence

Principal – Nancy D’OlimpioCatholic School Council–Susanne Caetano

St. Lawrence Parish – Joe Wilhelm

Community Rep. – Kathy Allen Fleet


Hamilton WEST Accommodation Review Committee Members

St. Mary

Principal – Jerry CrapsiCatholic School Council – Sandra O’Hoski

St. Mary Parish – Fr.Francisco Janiero

Community Rep. – Rev. Sue Ann Ward


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.


School Board Funding Effects of Declining Enrolment

School boards are funded by the Provincial Government based on actual student enrolment.

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board is facing the challenges of declining enrolment across the city.

Some schools are not or will not be viable based on declining enrolment.

Grade structures and the reduction of teaching staff make it difficult for the Board to accommodate the needs of all students. (triple grades)


For the Board to sustain and offer appropriate services for program delivery, special education, co-curricular activities, as well as responsible, cost efficient facilities, schools in areas of significant declining enrolment – with lower utilization levels or higher per pupil operating costs, need to be reviewed and considered for possible closure/consolidation.


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


Board Response to AnnualAccommodation Review Report

The Board established 4 Accommodation Review Committees:

Hamilton East Ward 5 Hamilton Central Ward 3, 4 Hamilton West Ward 1, 2 Hamilton South Ward 8


Pupil Accommodation Review Policy(S.09)

A School Valuation Framework shall beConducted on each school under review.The process shall examine each school under review in each of the following areas:

Value of the school to the studentValue of the school to the BoardValue of the school to the communityValue of the school to the local economy


Hamilton-WestAccommodation Committee Review Area

The Hamilton-West Accommodation Review Committee completed the School Valuation Frameworks for the 3 schools in Ward 1, 2 currently under review.

St. Joseph

St. Lawrence

St. Mary


School Valuation Frameworks

The School Valuation Frameworks for St. Joseph, St. Lawrence and St. Mary Catholic Elementary Schools were presented at the second Public Meeting held on March 17, 2008.

The documents are posted on the Board Web Site. Links can also be found on each of the school’s web pages.

www.hwcdsb.ca


The Hamilton West Accommodation Review Committee met on April 14, 2008 to review the input from Public Meeting #2.

The committee discussed possible options for the three schools under review based on the review of the data.


Committee Discussions 1. School Valuation Framework data: 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

2. Community Consultation Items: Small schools (300-500) Facilities - upgrade

- location (transportation/expansion) - accessibility (wheelchair) - closed classroom

Classes (straight grade/splits/triple) Church/school School community? Consolidation Taxes


Scenarios/Options

Option 1Keep the status quo

Option 2St. Joseph CES stays open

Option 3Either St. Mary CES consolidates with

St. Lawrence CES – or – St. Lawrence CES consolidates with St. Mary CES


Option 4Move students from St. Mary CES to St. Lawrence CES with the following

considerations:

bus students south of Barton St. to St. Lawrence CES

keep St. Mary CES building open to maintain and possibly expand the partnership with the community and house the Board’s Information Communication Technology Department

make necessary renovations to St. Lawrence CES to enhance the learning environment for all attending students


NEXT STEPS

Committee Meeting – May 2008 Public Meeting #4 – June 23, 2008 Committee Meeting – TBD – September 2008 The Hamilton-West Accommodation Review Committee

finalizes its report and presents it to the Director of Education for his consideration. (Possibly October 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. (Possibly November 2008)


Board Web Sitewww.hwcdsb.ca

Director’s Office:

905-525-2930 - Emilia Rastelli

- Sandra Giacinti

Superintendent’s Office

905-525-2930 ext. 2205

hamilton west accommodation review committee

Documents

annualaccommodation

hamilton centralward

school valuation framework

enrolment projections

actual student enrolment

special education

education act

following areas