Meadowview School Public Meeting February 19, 2008.

Meadowview Meadowview School Public School Public

MeetingMeetingFebruary 19, 2008February 19, 2008

Purpose of the Public Purpose of the Public MeetingMeeting

To discuss the possible school closure of To discuss the possible school closure of Meadowview SchoolMeadowview School

The following motion was passed by the The following motion was passed by the Board of Trustees of PHRD:Board of Trustees of PHRD: Moved by Trustee Volorney that the Board of Moved by Trustee Volorney that the Board of

Trustees commence the process to consider school Trustees commence the process to consider school closure; and specifically that the Board of Trustees closure; and specifically that the Board of Trustees hereby serves notice that a Motion to close the hereby serves notice that a Motion to close the Meadowview School, which is located in the Meadowview School, which is located in the County of Barrhead No. 11, will be debated and County of Barrhead No. 11, will be debated and voted upon at the Regular Meeting of the Board of voted upon at the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees scheduled for March 19, 2008Trustees scheduled for March 19, 2008

AgendaAgenda

Welcome and Introductions – Clayton Welcome and Introductions – Clayton Jespersen, Board ChairmanJespersen, Board Chairman

Superintendent’s Presentation – Richard Superintendent’s Presentation – Richard Harvey, Superintendent of SchoolsHarvey, Superintendent of Schools

Parent and Community PresentationsParent and Community Presentations To ensure PHRD has a complete and To ensure PHRD has a complete and

accurate record of the presentations, please accurate record of the presentations, please provide a copy to PHRDprovide a copy to PHRD

Question PeriodQuestion Period

Admin. Procedure 70-2 - Admin. Procedure 70-2 - Criteria for School Closure Criteria for School Closure

PHRD Administrative Procedure 70-2 states PHRD Administrative Procedure 70-2 states that an entire school, or 3 or more consecutive that an entire school, or 3 or more consecutive grades in a school, may be considered for grades in a school, may be considered for closure if 1 of 6 criteria are metclosure if 1 of 6 criteria are met

Meadowview School qualifies for consideration Meadowview School qualifies for consideration to close under the following criteria:to close under the following criteria: Criteria 2.1Criteria 2.1 – 5 yr. enrolment projections and – 5 yr. enrolment projections and

previous trends indicate the probability that future previous trends indicate the probability that future enrolment numbers in the school may not allow for enrolment numbers in the school may not allow for programming which is effective and efficient in the programming which is effective and efficient in the judgment of the Superintendentjudgment of the Superintendent

Enrolment as of Sept 30/07 – 22 students (Kindergarten - 3; Enrolment as of Sept 30/07 – 22 students (Kindergarten - 3;

Grades 1-5- 19)Grades 1-5- 19)


(cont.)(cont.) Enrolment projections for the following 5 Enrolment projections for the following 5

years:years:

In my judgment, the very low student In my judgment, the very low student enrolment projections for Meadowview enrolment projections for Meadowview School would not allow for programming School would not allow for programming that is effective and efficient in the years that is effective and efficient in the years to cometo come

08/09 – 08/09 – 18 18

09/10 – 1809/10 – 18 10/11 – 10/11 – 1919

11/12 – 1711/12 – 17 12/13 - 1612/13 - 16


(cont.)(cont.) Criteria 2.2Criteria 2.2 The facility space utilization rate as The facility space utilization rate as

defined by the provincial government as of defined by the provincial government as of September 30 in the current school year is less September 30 in the current school year is less than 50% and enrolment projections indicate no than 50% and enrolment projections indicate no marked improvement in utilization rate for the marked improvement in utilization rate for the next 3 yrsnext 3 yrs 2007/08 utilization rate for Meadowview School is 2007/08 utilization rate for Meadowview School is

22.50% 22.50% Criteria 2.3Criteria 2.3 The continued operation of the The continued operation of the

school poses a health or safety threat to school poses a health or safety threat to students, staff or publicstudents, staff or public Meadowview School currently does not pose a health Meadowview School currently does not pose a health

or safety threat to students, staff or publicor safety threat to students, staff or public


(cont.)(cont.) Criteria 2.4Criteria 2.4 Less than 60% of eligible Less than 60% of eligible

students in a school’s attendance area attend students in a school’s attendance area attend the school in their attendance areathe school in their attendance area In 2007/08 approximately 42% of the eligible In 2007/08 approximately 42% of the eligible

students in the Meadowview attendance area students in the Meadowview attendance area attend Meadowview Schoolattend Meadowview School

Criteria 2.5Criteria 2.5 The continued operation of the The continued operation of the school will create excessive costs to the school will create excessive costs to the School DivisionSchool Division If Meadowview School were to remain open 32 full If Meadowview School were to remain open 32 full

time equivalent students would be required for the time equivalent students would be required for the school to remain financially viable under its school to remain financially viable under its existing structureexisting structure


(cont.)(cont.) Criteria 2.6Criteria 2.6 Total student enrolment in 3 or Total student enrolment in 3 or

more grades falls below numbers considered more grades falls below numbers considered viable from a financial operations and viable from a financial operations and program delivery perspectiveprogram delivery perspective

Admin Admin ProcedureProcedure

Min. Min. EnrolmentEnrolment

Meadowview Meadowview School School

Enrolment-Sept Enrolment-Sept 30/0730/07

Kindergarten-Kindergarten-Grade 3Grade 3

2020 1212

Grades 4-6Grades 4-6 2020 10 in grades 4&510 in grades 4&5

Kindergarten-Kindergarten-Grade 6Grade 6

4545 22 in K-grade 522 in K-grade 5

Stand-alone Stand-alone schoolsschools

4545 2222

How the closure will affect How the closure will affect the attendance area defined the attendance area defined

for Meadowviewfor Meadowview If the Motion to close the If the Motion to close the

Meadowview School is passed by the Meadowview School is passed by the Board of Trustees, Administration Board of Trustees, Administration will recommend to the Board that will recommend to the Board that the students residing in the the students residing in the Meadowview attendance area be Meadowview attendance area be directed to the Barrhead Elementary directed to the Barrhead Elementary School in the Barrhead attendance School in the Barrhead attendance area area

How the closure will affect How the closure will affect the attendance area at the attendance area at

other schoolsother schools Students in grades 6-12 who are residents Students in grades 6-12 who are residents

of the Meadowview attendance area are of the Meadowview attendance area are currently directed to the Barrhead currently directed to the Barrhead Elementary and Barrhead Composite High Elementary and Barrhead Composite High Schools in BarrheadSchools in Barrhead

Barrhead Elementary School’s utilization Barrhead Elementary School’s utilization rate for 2007/08 is 69.05%rate for 2007/08 is 69.05%

The projected enrolment for Meadowview The projected enrolment for Meadowview School in 2008/09 is 18 studentsSchool in 2008/09 is 18 students Assuming BES retains an enrolment similar to Assuming BES retains an enrolment similar to

that of 2007/08 (approx. 600 students) and if the that of 2007/08 (approx. 600 students) and if the students in the Meadowview attendance area students in the Meadowview attendance area were directed to BES, the utilization rate of BES were directed to BES, the utilization rate of BES would be 70.87%would be 70.87%

The number of students The number of students who will need to be who will need to be

relocated as a result of the relocated as a result of the closureclosure

YearYear Projected Projected EnrolmentEnrolment

2007/082007/08 2222

2008/092008/09 1818

2009/102009/10 1818

2010/112010/11 1919

2011/122011/12 1717

2012/132012/13 1616

Information on the Board’s Information on the Board’s Long Range Capital PlanLong Range Capital Plan

Excerpt from the capital planExcerpt from the capital plan In accordance with PHRD Policy 903 (subsequently In accordance with PHRD Policy 903 (subsequently

re-named to Admin. Procedure 70-2), the Board of re-named to Admin. Procedure 70-2), the Board of Trustees will monitor the remaining division Trustees will monitor the remaining division schools (includes Meadowview School) on a yearly schools (includes Meadowview School) on a yearly basis in terms of facility health and enrolment basis in terms of facility health and enrolment levelslevels

Policy 903 (subsequently re-named to Admin. Policy 903 (subsequently re-named to Admin. Procedure 70-2), provides guidance when it comes Procedure 70-2), provides guidance when it comes to decisions about keeping schools open. Under to decisions about keeping schools open. Under this policy, individual schools could operate for this policy, individual schools could operate for years, as long as enrolments are high enough to years, as long as enrolments are high enough to keep the school financially viable and the school keep the school financially viable and the school building does not require major repairsbuilding does not require major repairs

Information on the Board’s Information on the Board’s Long Range Capital Plan Long Range Capital Plan

(cont.)(cont.) The Long Range Capital Plan was first adopted The Long Range Capital Plan was first adopted

by the Board of Trustees on March 15, 2006by the Board of Trustees on March 15, 2006 Since that time the roof at Meadowview Since that time the roof at Meadowview

School continues to deteriorate, even though School continues to deteriorate, even though the Maintenance Department continues to the Maintenance Department continues to patch itpatch it The condition of the roof is becoming critical. It is The condition of the roof is becoming critical. It is

brittle and dry and continues to split and leak due brittle and dry and continues to split and leak due to age and probably will require replacing within to age and probably will require replacing within the next yearthe next year

In addition, within the next 5 years the mechanical In addition, within the next 5 years the mechanical system at the school will require replacing as well system at the school will require replacing as well as the main power service, windows, exterior and as the main power service, windows, exterior and flooringflooring

Costs for these projects are not included in the Costs for these projects are not included in the financial analysisfinancial analysis

The need for, and extent of, The need for, and extent of, bussingbussing

Currently 5 buses serve the Currently 5 buses serve the Meadowview School attendance area Meadowview School attendance area and 3 buses serve the area south and and 3 buses serve the area south and west of Barrhead, adjoining the west of Barrhead, adjoining the Meadowview attendance area (total 8 Meadowview attendance area (total 8 bus routes)bus routes)

If Meadowview School was closed the 8 If Meadowview School was closed the 8 routes would be retained but re-routes would be retained but re-designed to transport students as designed to transport students as efficiently as possibleefficiently as possible

Projected impact on Projected impact on bussingbussing

Students currently attending Meadowview Students currently attending Meadowview School and residing in the far eastern edge of School and residing in the far eastern edge of the attendance area will experience an the attendance area will experience an average decrease in ride times of 8 minutesaverage decrease in ride times of 8 minutes

Students currently attending Meadowview Students currently attending Meadowview School and residing within a 10 km radius of School and residing within a 10 km radius of the school will experience increased ride the school will experience increased ride times due to Barrhead being located 34 km times due to Barrhead being located 34 km from Meadowviewfrom Meadowview The average increase will be 5-10 minutes The average increase will be 5-10 minutes

(estimate, depending on the location of the (estimate, depending on the location of the student’s residence)student’s residence)

Consideration will be given to developing a Consideration will be given to developing a modified express route for students residing south modified express route for students residing south and southwest of Meadowview School in order to and southwest of Meadowview School in order to minimize the impact on ride timesminimize the impact on ride times

Projected impact on Projected impact on bussingbussing (cont.)(cont.)

Students currently attending Barrhead Students currently attending Barrhead schools and residing in the schools and residing in the Meadowview School attendance area Meadowview School attendance area will experience an average decrease in will experience an average decrease in ride times due to not having to transfer ride times due to not having to transfer at Meadowview Schoolat Meadowview School In particular, those students residing close In particular, those students residing close

to the Barrhead attendance area will to the Barrhead attendance area will experience an average decrease in ride experience an average decrease in ride times of 10 minutestimes of 10 minutes

Projected impact on Projected impact on bussingbussing (cont.)(cont.)

Students in the Barrhead attendance Students in the Barrhead attendance area residing close to the area residing close to the Meadowview School attendance Meadowview School attendance area will experience an average area will experience an average decrease in ride time of 10 minutesdecrease in ride time of 10 minutes

No resident student ride time will No resident student ride time will exceed the Board guideline of one exceed the Board guideline of one (1) hour(1) hour

Program ImplicationsProgram Implications

From the perspective of instructional delivery From the perspective of instructional delivery and programming, the recommendation to and programming, the recommendation to move the students from Meadowview School to move the students from Meadowview School to Barrhead Elementary School would have Barrhead Elementary School would have negligible impact on Barrhead Elementary negligible impact on Barrhead Elementary School and very likely a positive effect for School and very likely a positive effect for Meadowview School studentsMeadowview School students

In contrast, leaving the situation status quo In contrast, leaving the situation status quo would further limit the range of educational would further limit the range of educational programming available and would continue to programming available and would continue to stress the system’s capacity for effective stress the system’s capacity for effective program deliveryprogram delivery

Program Implications (cont.)Program Implications (cont.)

There is a potential positive impact related to There is a potential positive impact related to the social emotional aspectthe social emotional aspect Currently, grade 6-12 students from the Currently, grade 6-12 students from the

Meadowview School attendance area attend BES Meadowview School attendance area attend BES and BCHSand BCHS

If the K-5 students from the Meadowview School If the K-5 students from the Meadowview School also attended BES, their transition to the next also attended BES, their transition to the next Barrhead school would be simplifiedBarrhead school would be simplified

In addition, students are more likely to have In addition, students are more likely to have siblings in the same complex, albeit in a different siblings in the same complex, albeit in a different building. This would have a positive effect for the building. This would have a positive effect for the students from Meadowview Schoolstudents from Meadowview School


Class size averages and target ranges at BES would Class size averages and target ranges at BES would remain below or very close to jurisdiction and remain below or very close to jurisdiction and provincial guidelinesprovincial guidelines

Students in all BES classes receive the same level of Students in all BES classes receive the same level of care and attention as do students in any other care and attention as do students in any other PHRD schoolPHRD school

Beginning in the 2007/08 school year students are Beginning in the 2007/08 school year students are building a relationship with the BES principal, who building a relationship with the BES principal, who spends time each week in Meadowview Schoolspends time each week in Meadowview School

Adding the Meadowview School students would Adding the Meadowview School students would have no negative impact on BES class size and have no negative impact on BES class size and programming associated with class groupingsprogramming associated with class groupings

The students, given the attention that all students The students, given the attention that all students receive, can be expected to grow academically and receive, can be expected to grow academically and socially in this learning environmentsocially in this learning environment


The effectiveness of programming at The effectiveness of programming at Meadowview, if the School maintained the Meadowview, if the School maintained the current status, is a crucial issue to be current status, is a crucial issue to be consideredconsidered

Because of the small population and the Because of the small population and the distribution of enrolled students across grade distribution of enrolled students across grade levels, there would certainly be multi-grade levels, there would certainly be multi-grade classrooms, quite likely having students from classrooms, quite likely having students from more than 3 grades in any given class group more than 3 grades in any given class group configurationconfiguration

While this is a condition that was necessitated in While this is a condition that was necessitated in many historical situations because of geography many historical situations because of geography and transportation limitations, it is less desirable and transportation limitations, it is less desirable when other viable alternatives are availablewhen other viable alternatives are available


While Meadowview School’s close While Meadowview School’s close association with BES and the association with BES and the community’s resources would provide for community’s resources would provide for basic and essential programming needs, basic and essential programming needs, it is not the best possible situation and it it is not the best possible situation and it would certainly rely heavily on unique would certainly rely heavily on unique skills and talents of the staffskills and talents of the staff

Providing instruction to multiple levels in Providing instruction to multiple levels in this environment is not a common this environment is not a common professional skillprofessional skill

Summary of Program Summary of Program ImplicationsImplications

The social emotional effects associated with the The social emotional effects associated with the recommendation to close Meadowview School are recommendation to close Meadowview School are generally favorable for all students involvedgenerally favorable for all students involved Potential issues are already commonly managed, and it is Potential issues are already commonly managed, and it is

reasonable to assume that students will potentially benefit reasonable to assume that students will potentially benefit from the new relationships that are formedfrom the new relationships that are formed

The impact on programming in BES is not a significant The impact on programming in BES is not a significant factor in the decisionfactor in the decision

Meanwhile, the impact on programming for the Meanwhile, the impact on programming for the Meadowview School, if they were to remain status Meadowview School, if they were to remain status quo, poses certain conditions that cannot be ignored. quo, poses certain conditions that cannot be ignored. Given that a viable solution is readily available, it is Given that a viable solution is readily available, it is reasonable to pursue the alternativereasonable to pursue the alternative

The students of the Meadowview School could The students of the Meadowview School could experience specific benefits in terms of programming experience specific benefits in terms of programming if they were directed to BESif they were directed to BES

The educational & financial The educational & financial impact of closing impact of closing

Meadowview SchoolMeadowview School Currently there are 22 students in K-5 at Currently there are 22 students in K-5 at

Meadowview SchoolMeadowview School Instruction is being delivered in a multi-grade, Instruction is being delivered in a multi-grade,

multi-divisional setting with 2 teachers. There is multi-divisional setting with 2 teachers. There is also a program assistant, librarian and an also a program assistant, librarian and an administrative assistant at the School. The school administrative assistant at the School. The school is administered by the Principal of BES who goes is administered by the Principal of BES who goes to Meadowview School on a weekly basisto Meadowview School on a weekly basis

The decision to close Meadowview School The decision to close Meadowview School will not negatively impact the K-5 programs will not negatively impact the K-5 programs at Barrhead Elementary Schoolat Barrhead Elementary School

The educational & financial The educational & financial impact of closing Meadowview impact of closing Meadowview

School (cont.)School (cont.)

The closure of Meadowview School would The closure of Meadowview School would result in a financial gain in operational result in a financial gain in operational costscosts Pembina Hills would not incur a minimum Pembina Hills would not incur a minimum

deficit of $73,815 in instruction and $10,986 in deficit of $73,815 in instruction and $10,986 in Plant Operations & Maintenance (total Plant Operations & Maintenance (total $84,801)$84,801)

Considering the projected 2007/08 deficit of Considering the projected 2007/08 deficit of $50,836 and Meadowview School’s operating $50,836 and Meadowview School’s operating reserve at Sept. 1, 2007 of $10,446, the reserve at Sept. 1, 2007 of $10,446, the School’s projected accumulated debt at Aug. School’s projected accumulated debt at Aug. 31, 2009 is $125,191 ($84,801 + $50,836 - 31, 2009 is $125,191 ($84,801 + $50,836 - $10,446) $10,446)

The educational & financial The educational & financial impact of closing Meadowview impact of closing Meadowview

School (cont.)School (cont.) In terms of transportation, if Meadowview In terms of transportation, if Meadowview

School were closed, Pembina Hills would School were closed, Pembina Hills would receive additional transportation funding of receive additional transportation funding of approx. $21,000 based on the current approx. $21,000 based on the current provincial funding formulaprovincial funding formula The additional funding would be used to offset the The additional funding would be used to offset the

additional costs of transporting the students additional costs of transporting the students (estimated at $11,100), leaving a net gain of $9,900(estimated at $11,100), leaving a net gain of $9,900

Capital implications of closing Meadowview Capital implications of closing Meadowview School are that the projects identified earlier in School are that the projects identified earlier in the presentation will not need to be the presentation will not need to be undertaken, meaning a further deficit in the undertaken, meaning a further deficit in the area of building capital will be avoidedarea of building capital will be avoided

The educational and The educational and financial impact if the financial impact if the

school were to remain openschool were to remain open If Meadowview School were to remain If Meadowview School were to remain

open the following would need to occur, open the following would need to occur, at a minimum:at a minimum: current grade combinations would need to current grade combinations would need to

be increased beyond 3 grades per classroombe increased beyond 3 grades per classroom teaching staff reducedteaching staff reduced

This would not offset the accumulated This would not offset the accumulated deficit of Meadowview School nor deficit of Meadowview School nor address the capital needs of the buildingaddress the capital needs of the building

The educational and financial The educational and financial impact if the school were to impact if the school were to

remain open (cont.)remain open (cont.)

As Superintendent of Schools, I would not As Superintendent of Schools, I would not recommend grade combinations of more recommend grade combinations of more than 3 grades per classroom, given the than 3 grades per classroom, given the numbers of students and challenges it numbers of students and challenges it would offer both the students and teacherwould offer both the students and teacher The combined grades would have to cover the The combined grades would have to cover the

core curriculum in all gradescore curriculum in all grades While combined classes of 2-3 grades can be While combined classes of 2-3 grades can be

managed, there is no grade combination of managed, there is no grade combination of greater than 3 grades in our Divisiongreater than 3 grades in our Division

There is a viable alternative for students within There is a viable alternative for students within a reasonable distance of Meadowview Schoola reasonable distance of Meadowview School

The capital needs of the The capital needs of the schools that may have schools that may have

increased enrolment as a increased enrolment as a result of the closureresult of the closure

There are no additional capital needs There are no additional capital needs for Barrhead Elementary School due to for Barrhead Elementary School due to the increased enrolment of the the increased enrolment of the students from Meadowview Schoolstudents from Meadowview School

BES has the capacity with no BES has the capacity with no additional capital expenditures to additional capital expenditures to receive the students in the receive the students in the Meadowview School attendance areaMeadowview School attendance area

The possible uses of the The possible uses of the school building if the school building if the

school was closedschool was closed If the Meadowview School is closed, If the Meadowview School is closed,

Administration recommends that the Administration recommends that the Board of Trustees enter into Board of Trustees enter into discussions with the community to discussions with the community to determine the best possible use for determine the best possible use for the buildingthe building

Additional Meeting Additional Meeting February 28, 2008February 28, 2008

An additional opportunity for individuals or An additional opportunity for individuals or groups to make presentations directly to groups to make presentations directly to the Board of Trustees regarding the the Board of Trustees regarding the proposed closure will take place on proposed closure will take place on February 28, 2008 at the Pembina Hills February 28, 2008 at the Pembina Hills Division Office beginning at 7:00 p.m. These Division Office beginning at 7:00 p.m. These presentations will be by appointment only.presentations will be by appointment only.

If you would like an appointment, please If you would like an appointment, please phone Joyce Fott at (780)674-8513phone Joyce Fott at (780)674-8513

If there are no appointments, the meeting If there are no appointments, the meeting will not take placewill not take place

March 19, 2008 Regular March 19, 2008 Regular Board MeetingBoard Meeting

The Board will debate and vote upon The Board will debate and vote upon the possible closure of the the possible closure of the Meadowview School at their March Meadowview School at their March 19, 2008 Regular Meeting19, 2008 Regular Meeting The debate will be scheduled on the The debate will be scheduled on the

agenda for agenda for

1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.

Meadowview School Public Meeting February 19, 2008.

Documents

Transcript of Meadowview School Public Meeting February 19, 2008.