Preliminary School Closure Feasibility Study

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Preliminary School ClosureFeasibility Study

• SD No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
• January 2004

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Context Why was a preliminary feasibility study
needed?

• 2003/2004 final step to reconfiguration plan
• Declining enrolment past and future
• The increasing number of vacant classrooms
• Working with a revised provincial Funding
  Allocation System
• Funding constraints
• Service cuts
• Capital plan/facility planning

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2003/2004 Final Step to Reconfiguration Plan

• Open KVR
• Open SLMS, SMS
• Open McNicoll Middle
• Open PMSS

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Is there a history of school closure in the
District?

• As part of reconfiguration
• OConnell was closed
• K-5 distributed to Carmi and Queens Park
• Snowdon was closed
• K-5 distributed to Parkway and Wiltse
• McDonald was closed
• K-5 distributed to Trout Creek and Giants Head
• All were guided with a transition process

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Declining Enrolment
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Elementary (K-5) EnrolmentPenticton Zone
1992-2012
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Birthrate at Penticton Regional Hospital
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Surplus Elementary Seats- Penticton Zone
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Financial Allocation System

• The money is the money.
• Custodial and maintenance no longer based on
  facility number and size.
• Declining enrolment will increase the funding
  problem for custodial and maintenance.
• Almost total reliance on pupil FTE for all
  funding.
• Several special education categories consolidated
  into per pupil grant.

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Funding Constraints Service Cuts

• 2002 shortfall of 2.25 million
• Across the board service cuts of 2.5
• 2003 shortfall of 1.5 million
• Service cuts in secondary staffing, shortened
  school year for custodial, clerical, and bus
  services, cut career orientation, plus use of one
  time grant.

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Other Contextual Issues

• Reconfiguration has created more surplus
  elementary facility space.
• 2003 Report to Board projects a school closure
  could save up to 200,000 annually.
• September 2003 Board passed Policy 750 to govern
  any potential school closure.
• September 2003 Board directed development of a
  Preliminary Feasibility Report on School Closure.

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What question is addressed by the Preliminary
School Closure Feasibility Study?
The question From a facility focus, could a
school be closed
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Is there surplus facility space?

• Secondary there is NOT sufficient surplus space
  to allow for the closure of a secondary school.
• Middle there is NOT sufficient surplus space to
  allow for the closure of a middle school.
• Elementary there IS sufficient surplus space to
  allow for the closure of one or more elementary
  schools.
• Elementary will be examined in 4 zones Kaleden,
  Naramata, Penticton, and Summerland.

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Surplus Facility Space Elementary

• Summerland there is no time during the
  projection period to 2012 when an elementary
  school could be closed in Summerland. There is
  not sufficient surplus facility space.

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Surplus Facility Space Elementary

• Kaleden Naramata either or both could be
  accommodated in Penticton zone schools.
• The loss of the small community grant and the
  increased busing costs with such a move greatly
  reduce savings.
• The value of having a school as part of any small
  community must be given considerable weight.
• A low priority option.

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Surplus Facility Space Elementary (Penticton)

• Penticton there is sufficient surplus facility
  space in the Penticton zone elementary schools to
  close one or more schools.
• In 2004 it is anticipated that there will be 350
  surplus elementary seats in Penticton.
• This number is expected to grow to 490 by 2008
  (enrolment low point).
• 2003 kindergarten numbers 15 below projections .

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Facility Site Considerations

• Reviewed facility audit results for all Penticton
  zone schools.
• Nkwala Carmi significantly lower than the
  others.
• Nkwala facility and site audit results
  considerably lower than Carmi.

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Preliminary Factors Supporting the Closure of
Nkwala

• No multi-purpose space available.
• Existing library facility below standard.
• Learning assistance and special education spaces
  below standard.
• Administrative office spaces below standard.
• No fire sprinkler system exists.
• Deficient HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and
  lighting systems.
• Site lacks space for access, parking, renovation.

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More Preliminary Factors Supporting the Closure
of Nkwala

• There is a zonal surplus of elementary seats.
• Nkwala is surrounded by alternative neighborhood
  schools Carmi, Uplands and Columbia.
• Closure of a school will significantly reduce
  further cuts due to 200,000 operating savings.

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Preliminary Factors of Concern in a Nkwala Closure

• Pupil travel routes to Uplands, Carmi, and/or
  Columbia.
• Loss of the contribution of Nkwala to the
  community of Nkwala.
• Nkwalas positive history of contribution and
  service.
• Balance of interests District/Nkwala community.
• Timelines.
• These factors form part of the consultation
  phase.

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Timeline

• January 12 - Regular Board Meeting
• Receipt of report
• Decision whether to proceed with consultation
  phase

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Further Timeline Details

• Sixty day consultation period
• Notice of public forum(s)
• Community briefing(s)
• Public Board Meeting - 1st Reading of By-Law

• Public Board Meeting/final reading of By-Law (14
  days between meetings)

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Timeline Considerations

• Contractual deadlines for notice of lay-off or
  transfer
• Sufficient time to make the changes
• Appropriate notice period to parents
• Time to prepare the students
• Time for school transition process
• Time to close with honours

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Preliminary School Closure Feasibility Study

• Provides information on whether a Penticton
  elementary school could be closed from a
  facility perspective only.
• Provides information on the timelines associated.
• Answers What could be done? but does not answer
  What should be done?

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Consultation Process Time for

• the community to be informed by the District.
• the community to develop perspectives on the
  issue.
• the Board to hear community perspectives on the
  issue.
• collection of other information.
• Board consideration and deliberation.

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Does this Preliminary School Closure Feasibility
Report Recommend a Closure?

• The report concludes
• A closure is possible from a facility perspective
  - Nkwala is the top candidate.
• The closure would lead to financial savings.
• Savings would come from administrative, clerical,
  and custodial/ maintenance services.
• The quality of service to students will be
  protected by a closure.

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What Are the Next Steps?

• January submission of the Report to the Board
  the public
• January 12 Board decision on action to be taken
  on the report consultation
• Establish Nkwala Closure Advisory Committee

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Nkwala Closure Advisory Committee

• Membership
• 2 Nkwala Parents
• 2 Teachers
• Principal
• Liaison Trustee
• CUPE Rep
• Secretary-Treasurer
• Assistant Superintendent (Chair)

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Nkwala Closure Advisory Committee

• Purpose
• Advise the District on the agenda for the public
  forum.
• Provide information and advice to the
  Superintendent related to the school closure
  decision-making process and, if applicable, the
  school closure process.
• Raise questions related to the closure process.
• Provide information to the Nkwala parents through
  minutes and newsletters as appropriate.

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Timeline for a June 2004 closure

• January 12-March 31 consultation period
• January 26 Advisory Meeting
• January 27 Community Forum
• March 1 Regular Board Meeting/notice to amend
  catchment areas
• March 11 Community Forum

• April 5 Regular Board Meeting - first reading of
  By-Law (50 days notice)
• April 5 Regular Board Meeting/amend transfer
  dates
• April 30 student transfer application deadline
  as amended
• April 19 Special Board Meeting - final reading
  of By-Law

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Consultation Process Time for

• the community to be informed by the District.
• the community to develop perspectives on the
  issue.
• the Board to hear community perspectives on the
  issue.
• collection of other information.
• Board consideration and deliberation.

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Preliminary School ClosureFeasibility Study

• SD No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
• January 2004