Accommodation Review

Upcoming Board Meetings

Regular Board Meeting May 11th 8:00 pm, South Huron DHS.
Regular Board Meeting May 25th 8:00 pm, Education Centre, Seaforth.
Special Board Meeting June 1, 7:00 pm, Education Centre, Seaforth
Regular Board Meeting June 8, 8:00 pm, Education Centre, Seaforth
Regular Board Meeting June 22, 8:00 pm, Education Centre, Seaforth

If you would like to make a delegation at any of the above Board Meetings please contact the Education Centre at 1-800-592-5437 ext 106 or by email to info@fc.amdsb.ca

Preliminary Pupil Accommodation Analysis 2009/2010 - Board Launches Two Accommodation Reviews

Regular Board Meeting - Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Following the presentation to the Board of the Preliminary Pupil Accommodation Analysis by Superintendent of Education Mike Ash, Trustees considered two staff recommendations to begin an Accommodation Review Process.

The Board decided to begin an accommodation review process and establish an Accommodation Review Committee for the municipalities served by Brussels Public School, Grey Central Public School, Elma Township Public School, Listowel Eastdale Public School, Listowel Central Public School and Wallace Public School.

The Board also decided to begin an accommodation review process and establish an Accommodation Review Committee for the municipalities served by Usborne Central Public School, Stephen Central Public School, Zurich Public School, Hensall Public School and Exeter Public School.

The Board committed to notifying the communities involved no later than September 10, 2009. An ARC information meeting to be held on October 21, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. for the South Huron cluster of schools and on October 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. for the North Perth and Brussels schools.

Select this link to read the complete Board Report - Preliminary Pupil Accommodation Analysis 2009/2010

Board Policy No.18 – Pupil Accommodation Reviews, requires an annual preliminary analysis of accommodation data, which may include:

  • the Ministry of Education capacity for each school,
  • the level of actual occupancy as a percentage of Ministry of Education capacity,
  • the current and projected enrolment in each school,
  • other information or special circumstances that the director of education may deem relevant, and
  • recommendations to the board regarding which school(s), if any, should be placed under review and the circumstances that support this review.

Revised Policy 18 - Public Accommodation Reviews (Select this link to view the revised Policy 18 and Appendix A & B)
At the regular Board meeting of Tuesday, September 8, 2009 The Board approved the following changes to Policy 18:

  • The reduction from 60 days to 30 days for the minimum period between the announcement of an ARC and the first of four public meetings. ARCs can begin to prepare for their work during this 30 day period.
  • The addition of a reference to board long-term enrolment and capital planning, including the potential for partnerships.
  • The introduction of a Terms of Reference designed to clarify the mandate of the ARC; the parameters and Reference Criteria that will guide the development and recommendation of accommodation options; the roles and responsibilities of ARC members; and the ARC process.
  • The modification of the “valuation tool” to reflect a process that better supports the review of existing schools and the evaluation of accommodation options. The modified “School Information Profile” is intended to ensure the ARC and the public are well-informed about all schools under review based on their value to students, the school board, the community and the local economy. This process will ensure that the ARC is well-positioned to make accommodation recommendations to the board based on a full understanding of the schools and their relationship to the local communities.
  • Improved clarity regarding the ARC’s role in making accommodation recommendations to the board and the presentation of those recommendations in an Accommodation Report to the board.

An accommodation review may result in such changes as: changes to the grades offered in a school, closures, and/or any other practical solutions to overcrowded, underutilized, or inadequate school facilities. Over the past four years the provincial government has added significant amounts of money to the education system in Ontario, and this has benefited the Avon Maitland District School Board. However, cost pressures continue to exist.

Deciding to undertake an accommodation review in a community or series of communities must be based on many different factors. They may include:

  • Current and projected enrollment of the schools in relation to school rate capacity.
  • Condition of buildings (including accessibility for the disabled), and anticipated costs to maintain the buildings.
  • The ability of trustees and staff to adequately supply information during an accommodation review to communities as needed where multiple communities are identified and the readiness of the communities to engage in a dialogue with the board about accommodation related issues