Potential School ClosuresVancouver Board of Education

October, 2010

Governance and ProcessThe Board of Education consists of nine elected public officials.Under the School Act, the Board has the power to open or close a school.The school closure process is guided by legislation and local policy.Board members are the legislated governors of public education.

3

10/24/10

Governance and ProcessSupporting the Board of Education are the Chief Executive Officer – the Superintendent of Schools; andThe Chief Financial Officer – the Secretary-Treasurer.The role of the Superintendent and his staff is to support the Board in their governance work.

4

10/24/10

Governance and ProcessJune 23rd: Vancouver Board of Education proposed

consideration of 11 schools for possible closure.

Oct. 4th: Release of Administrative report recommending 5 schools proceed through the consultation process.

Oct 5th: Board decision to consult on the 5 schools.

Oct. 25th – Nov. 9th: Public consultation meetings.

Nov. 10th – 24th: Opportunity for Board to continue to receive feedback.

Dec. 3rd: Anticipated date of final report on school closures

Dec. 14th: Anticipated date of Board decision.

5

10/24/10

Public consultationA chance to become familiar with the information presented

An opportunity to digest the information

An opportunity to address those who will make the decisions

6

10/24/10

Source: Ministry of Education

Provincial enrolment trends7

10/24/10

School-Age and Senior Population as a percent of BC total (1994 – 2013)

Source: Ministry of Education

8

10/24/10

Schools closed and proposed closures

Source: BCTF

10

10/24/10

Population - VancouverThe population of Vancouver continues to grow at a steady rate, largely through residential densification and redevelopment.

Yet, while the total population in Vancouver increased from 604,353 in 2006 to 643,208 in 2009 – and is projected to climb to 723,943 by 2020 – the school district’s enrolment has been decreasing.

11

10/24/10

Enrolment - DistrictEnrolment in Vancouver public schools peaked in 1997 at 57,575 students.

On Sept. 20, 2010, the (2010-2011) district enrolment count was 51,901 students (not including international students).

Since 1997, enrolment has declined by 5,674 students.

13

10/24/10

District enrolment trends

14

Since 1997 enrolment has declined by 5674 students.

Impact – Enrolment DeclineThe demographic profile of residents in Vancouver is changing. Overall, the city’s population is becoming older and there are fewer children living in our communities.

The shift in demographics results in less provincial funding coming to the school district due to the decline in enrolment.

More than two-thirds of the district’s elementary schools are located East of Oak Street and so the majority of under-utilized school buildings are located on the East side of Vancouver.

15

10/24/10

Capacity - utilizationThere are109 schools in the Vancouver school district. This includes 18 secondary schools and 91 elementary schools and annexes.

50 schools are considered to be operating at less than capacity.

17 schools are considered to be operating at between 80 and 90% capacity.

13 schools are operating at between 70 and 80% capacity

20 schools are operating at less than 70% capacity.

16

10/24/10

Finances - DistrictThe district receives $6,740 per student. This is intended to cover all infrastructure costs plus all salaries and benefits.

Approximately 92% of the annual operating budget is for salaries and benefits as mostly determined by provincial collective agreements.

17

10/24/10

Finances - DistrictRegular cost increases to the district such as salary increments, increases in employee benefit costs and inflation on goods and services not being included in provincial operating grants create funding shortfalls.

The current per-student funding formula impacts school districts experiencing modest declines in enrolment as they lose funding for costs that are fixed and do not vary significantly with slight enrolment changes.

18

10/24/10

Finances - DistrictSchool boards are required to submit balanced budgets every year, and when cost increases outpace funding increases, reductions must be made in programs, staffing and other costs.

Since 2002-2003, the VSB has made $68 million in net reductions, including $17.2 million for 2010-2011.

Further shortfalls are projected in coming years: $9.6 million in 2011-2012 and $5.7 million in 2012-2013.

19

10/24/10

Finances - DistrictWith funding shortfalls projected for future years, budget reductions will be needed.

In order to minimize cuts to instruction-related programs, reductions will have to be considered in areas other than the classroom.

Closing schools - the consolidation of educational facilities will reduce non-instructional operating costs, which in effect, protects funding for educational programs.

20

10/24/10

Closure Criteria Stage 1: selecting schools

1. That the students could reasonably be accommodated in the other local schools, and

1. That those students can be provided with access to appropriate educational programs.Number of students impacted. Ability to accommodate the students within the catchment area shared by an annex and a main school.Options to accommodate students at neighbouring schools.

21

10/24/10

Closure Criteria Stage 2: selecting schools

School Space Utilization

Current School Programming

Facility and Site Information

Facility Operational Issues

Financial Implications

Each of these headings include a number of sub-criteria.

22

10/24/10

Sir Guy Carleton Elementary School 3250 Kingsway

23

10/24/10

24

10/24/10

Sir Guy Carleton Elementary School 3250 Kingsway

25

10/24/10

Sir Guy Carleton Elementary - Overview

Between 2001 and 2006 the population growth rate in the Renfrew-Collingwood area was 8.8%, which was significantly greater than the overall population growth of 5.9% for the City of Vancouver.

Despite general population gains in the Renfrew-Collingwood area, the enrolment for the elementary schools in the area has declined.

Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2006

26

10/24/10

Enrolment at Carleton and bordering schools

Source: Ministry of Education

27

In the past 5 years, the enrolment drop of 572 students has resulted in over $3M in lost funding to the district.

Carleton Elementary – Enrolment Trends

28

10/24/10

The catchment area is surrounded by 7 other school catchments.

The northern boundary is Kingsway, a primary arterial road.

Carleton has two outbuildings on site that are currently closed.

Carleton is a high priority seismic project supported by the Ministry of Education. A renewal of the school could involve reducing the school capacity to match its catchment population.

Carleton Elementary – Unique characteristics

29

10/24/10

There is a District Intermediate Social Development Class at Carleton Elementary that would need to be relocated to another school should Carleton Elementary be closed.

Carleton Elementary has a subsidized breakfast/lunch program.

Of the surrounding schools, Grenfell and MacCorkindale have full pay lunch programs and Norquay has both full pay breakfast and lunch programs.

Carleton Elementary – Unique characteristics

30

10/24/10

The Carleton ‘Out of School Care Program’operates 30 licensed spaces in the school. Although some neighbouring schools also have out of school childcare, they likely operate close to capacity and could not accommodate the students currently using the out of school care at Carleton Elementary.

The District would work with the childcare provider to relocate the 30 licensed spaces if Carleton is closed.

Carleton Elementary – Unique characteristics

31

10/24/10

The Carleton Elementary building is 114 years old and has a heritage score of 23/25, indicating that it has significant heritage value.

In the 2004 VBE Seismic priority ranking, Carleton Elementary ranked 5 out of103 schools in seismic priority. Major seismic mitigation is required for this building.

Carleton Elementary – Unique characteristics

32

10/24/10

Where would students go?

33

10/24/10

34

10/24/10

What are the savings?

35

10/24/10

Carleton Elementary - SavingsThe 2010/2011 total facility based and student based operating costs for Carleton are estimated to be $2,401,600.

One-time closure costs (e.g. boarding of windows, etc.) are estimated to be $26,046.

Projected Annual Cost Savings $ 468,120 ($421,128 staffing and $46,991 services/supplies)

Savings over 5 years would be $2,340,600

36

10/24/10

What do we want to hear from the public tonight?

An opportunity to speak directly to trustees

To influence those who will make the decision

37

10/24/10

Next meeting?

November 2nd at 7 pm

Windermere Secondary

38

10/24/10

Questions or comments?

schoolclosure@vsb.bc.ca

More information?

http://www.vsb.bc.ca/school-closures

39

10/24/10