ongratulations to members of Our Schools, Our Communities (OSOC) for organizing the "Schools for All of Us" conference in Ottawa on March 22-23. The conference was attended by Councilor Clive Doucet, MPP Richard Patten and many school council and community activists from Capital Ward. OSOC is a voluntary organization of Ottawa parents and other community members who support a strong, adequately funded public education system. Speakers included Annie Kidder, spokesperson for the province-wide group, People for Education. Among other initiatives, People for Education has been tracking the effects of the provincial education funding formula on Ontario's schools. Panelists brought a variety of perspectives to the discussions about the needs of students in the schools, and the importance of schools as community hubs, providing space for community groups.
For information, check the OSOC web site at www.ourschools-ottawa.ca and the People for Education web site at www.peopleforeducation.com.
On April 11, 2003, the provincial government announced the 2003-2004 General Legislative Grants. Check the ministry's web site at http://edu.gov.on.ca (What's New). Funding has been increased by $1.15 billion over school year 2002-2003 and several of the recommendations of the highly regarded Rozanski Report are being implemented. This December 2002 report has been well received and it should be front and centre as political parties in the province outline their education platforms. It is entitled Investing in Public Education: Advancing the Goal of Continuous Improvement in Student Learning and Achievement and it can be found on the website www.edfundingreview.on.ca.
The Rozanski Report actually recommends a total increase in education spending of $2.5 billion, spread over three years. The chronic underfunding of education is a serious problem and I think the phase-in should be eliminated. The total cash infusion cannot be deferred. The report recommends an annual updating of "benchmark" costs to keep pace with inflation, something the province has not committed to beyond 2003-2004. Let's hope the recent government announcements are more than a one- time wonder, coming as they do prior to a provincial election.
For information on the OCDSB Budget for 2003-2004, check the web site at www.ocdsb.edu.on.ca (The Board/Budget Information).
The new supervisor, Kyle Murray, is implementing this process, begun by former supervisor Merv Beckstead. Between 2,300 and 3,600 "pupil places" are to be eliminated at the elementary level and between 1,000 to 2,000 places at the secondary level. All schools, both inside and outside the Greenbelt, may be considered for possible closure or boundary adjustments. Depending upon the size of schools and the number of pupil places eliminated, this could mean the closure of approximately six to ten elementary schools and one or two secondary schools. Here are the timelines:
Nowadays trustees are in an advisory capacity only, as it is the provincially-appointed supervisor, Kyle Murray, who makes the decisions. While Hopewell Public School is obviously not a candidate for closure, boundary changes could be proposed for Hopewell. To obtain information and learn about meetings, open houses and feedback mechanisms, please visit the "School Accommodation: 2004 and Beyond" section on the OCDSB web site at www.ocdsb.edu.on.ca.
OCDSB elementary schools in the Glebe, Old Ottawa South, Ottawa East, Sandy Hill, Lowertown and Centretown are on average operating at 85% capacity (number of students as compared with spaces available). Glebe Collegiate is currently at 97% capacity. Demographic projections from the City of Ottawa for this Central and Inner Sub-Area show an increase of 5.4% in the school-age population between 2001 and 2011. The source for this data is the City of Ottawa, Sub-area Population Projections by Age, May 2002. Furthermore, some "surplus" capacity in our schools is essential as schools are community hubs and house child care, adult education and community recreation programs. I will continue to firmly oppose the closure of all viable schools in the OCDSB. The problem is the provincial funding formula, which requires a board to exceed 100% capacity before providing funds for new school construction.
Lynn Graham
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
133 Greenbank Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K2H 6L3
Tel: 730-3366
Fax: 730-3589
lynn_graham@ocdsb.edu.on.ca