he tremendous effort to save nine schools located inside the Greenbelt, continues. Support is coming from the nine school communities, the "receiving" schools being asked to accommodate the students, community associations, business leaders and many other residents concerned about the preservation of the urban core. The September 26 rally at Board headquarters was well attended with the media out to cover the event. Thanks to everyone who is helping out.
As readers know, Mutchmor is one of the schools targeted for closure. The loss of this school, which has served generations of Glebe students for over a century, would result in the disappearance of valuable day school programs as well as neighborhood child care and recreation facilities. The Mutchmor field and the new play structure would likely be lost. Schools in the vicinity would have to accommodate the "redirected" students from Mutchmor.
This would lead to overcrowding at First Avenue and Hopewell. Hopewell has the smallest yard space per pupil of any elementary school in the entire OCDSB! The closure of Mutchmor would displace students in the Congregated Gifted program at First Avenue and create an unusual program mix at Lady Evelyn. In short, I fear closure of Mutchmor would contribute to the erosion of our public education system as parents explore other options.
Originally, the Board voted to close schools inside the Greenbelt to become eligible for provincial government grants to build schools outside the Greenbelt. Recognizing the flaws in the provincial government formula, the Boarddecided that schools inside the Greenbelt should be at 90% capacity, not 100% as required by the province. While schools inside the Greenbelt were on average at 86% capacity in the spring, it now appears that this figure is much closer to 90%.
This is due to a small increase in enrolment inside the Greenbelt, to a reduction in class size 'caps' and to a decision by board to dispose of the Borden and Brook Lane properties. In addition, new figures (soon available) could show the Board as a whole is over 100% capacity, thus making it eligible for grants for new schools, without any closures.
The argument now being put forth for school closures is that the Board will save operating funds that can then be redirected elsewhere in the budget.
It is estimated the nine closures will save the Board $3.2 million a year due to reductions in instruction (principals, vice-principals and office staff), reductions in plant expenditure operations (such as utilities and custodial expenses) and reductions in facility renewal expenditures (maintenance but not upgrading). On top of this are estimated savings in facility renovation and upgrading costs.
These savings are estimates and need to be verified. They are not to be ignored but they pale in comparison to the cost to the Board of having to buy back schools if demographic projections are wrong.
This fall, the Region is conducting a study to provide new demographic information on school age populations, neighborhood by neighborhood until 2031. The Region is undergoing unprecedented growth and new data could well show an increase in the school age population in coming years in all parts of the Region. The OCDSB report, whichrecommended the nine school closures, was based on 1995 projections which indicate a decrease in the school age population inside the Greenbelt in the coming years. I think it would be very shortsighted of the board to vote on October 23 on a series of school closure recommendations based on outdated data.
The underlying problem is the province's school accommodation formula. It is pitting community against community in our Region and it requires the board to exchange portables outside the Greenbelt for portables inside the Greenbelt. Even by exceeding 100% capacity across the Region, the board will be eligible for only a trickle of new capital funding, an amount insufficient to meet the growing needs of the suburbs.
The formula is a rigid paper calculation of classroom space and pupil places that does not translate into reality. It does not allow schools to dedicate classrooms for English-as-a-Second-Language withdrawal or computer labs. It does not take projections into account. Itdoes not allow community partnerships in our schools. So much for the school as community hub!
To put it mildly, it is incumbent upon the province to change this formula before it is too late. As one of the public presenters said: "One doesn't solve the accommodation crisis outside the Greenbelt by creating an accommodation crisis inside the Greenbelt."
Trustees are to debate and vote on school closures at meetings, 7:30 pm, Tuesday, October 17 and Thursday, October 19. Final decisions are scheduled for Monday, October 23 at 8 pm. To confirm dates and times and for other information on the school closure process, please check the Board's web site at www.ocdsb.edu.on.ca or call the automated information line at 596-8222.
Lynn Graham
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
133 Greenbank Road
Nepean, Ontario, K2H 6L3
Tel: 730-3366 Fax: 730-3589
E-mail: lynn_graham@ocdsb.edu.on.ca