Monday, June 15, 2009 -- 42 groups and individuals presented delegations to Trustees of the Halton District School Board on the Admin. Council's report, 09109 before a standing room only crowd of over 100 people.

Twenty-three groups spoke in favour of the staff recommendation to close 3 schools and retain 3 schools in SE Oakville.  These groups representing almost 18,000 residents, included:

Many speakers spoke of supporting the recommendation on the cornerstone of the Cooke's report statement that public education is a partnership between parents, community and school board.  It was every group's hope that a positive decision will move the board and community forward and build upon the outstanding educational results already demonstrated in our community.

Oakville Residents for Public Education with the support of the 4 local resident associations in SE Oakville announce support for the Halton District School Board's May 28th recommendation on school closure in SE Oakville.

Board proposes New Central, Maple Grove & Chisholm schools for SE Oakville

Friday May 29th, 2009, the Halton District School Board releases, what we hope is the final report on school accommodation (closure) issues in SE Oakville (Ward 3).

We are encouraged by the Board staff's decision to provide a report that provides optimal educational programming,  is equitable for all communities within Ward 3 and a basis for investment and infrastructure in our community.  This has been a complex and difficult issue for both the school board and community and now, there is an opportunity to begin moving forward towards a successful conclusion.  A detailed analysis will follow shortly.

The Board is proposing to renovate and upgrade 3 schools in the community and close an additional 3 elementary schools.  The renovations / refurbishments are expected to be completed for September 2010, which coincides with the opening of the new Clearview dual track school forecast with a population of 436 in 2010.

• Chisholm: JK - 6 English, 338 students in 2010
• Maple Grove: JK-8 French Immersion; 7/8 English, 585 students in 2010
• New Central: JK-6 English, 300 students in 2010

To be closed and sold: Linbrook, Brantwood and EJ James.

The recommendation follows many of the recommendations of the Cooke report, including, "the plan should result in as few students being bussed as possible".  The recommendation reduces bussing by almost 40%.  This also provides maximum opportunity for walk-to schools and access to after-school program or co-curricular programming.

The full report can be downloaded here,  HDSB Report on Ward 3 Accommodation 0919 May 29, 2009 (1.02 MB)

The report will be presented to the Trustees on Wednesday June 3rd with a decision on Wednesday June 17th.  There are two opportunities for community input.  Director Joudrie will be holding a public meeting at Oakville Trafalgar High School on Thursday June 18th at 7:00pm in the library and delegations before the Trustees will occur on Monday June 15th at the Board offices.

Oakville Residents for Public Education hosts meeting
with Ministry of Education, MPP Kevin Flynn and School Board representatives

• The Board will not support a stand alone middle school (Grades 7-8).
• It may not require that each school must be JK-8.
• The Ministry stated that the trend is JK-8 across Ontario.

• We raised the concern of our community that some trustees had made public comments which had left the impression they had already made up their minds as to their preferred alternative even before the community consultation had begun.
• Both Chair Jones and Trustee Ellis responded to these concerns, and emphasized they were flexible and open to each of the alternatives on which the Board is consulting, provided they meet the educational requirements.

• We raised the concern there appears to be a direct link between the Board's desire to build Clearview and its plan to close our schools (cash-flow positive).
• We were assured this is not the case, and that the decision to build a Clearview school, and the decision of which schools should stay open in our community are separate.
• We were told the Clearview funding will come from the Board's Capital budget, and is NOT linked to closing schools in SE Oakville to justify building a school in Clearview.
• We requested these decisions be completely separated in the consultation process moving forward from this point.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

ATTEND THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26th 7:00pm
at Oakville Trafalgar High School

The actions of the Trustees and school board this past week seems to put us right back where we were last year.  Dealing with a process proposed by the school board that is neither open nor transparent, and appears to have a pre-determined outcome -- flawed from the start.

At this past week's Board meeting, Trustees approved a series of alternative options for community input, yet they commented several options were not acceptable before the consultation process even begins.  What is the point !

This Thursday, February 26th, 7:00pm at Oakville Trafalgar High School cafeteria the Halton District School Board will outline its proposed consultation process, discuss the alternatives and provide background information.  Express you dissatisfaction and let the Board hear loud and clear "Hear we go again"

The Board's report with the options, report 09039, states:

A consistent message from the community is that they recognize status quo is not appropriate.  Individuals and groups have stated they are interested in coming to a good resolution to this longstanding debate. With this in mind, alternatives C1 and C2 were added for the Board’s consideration.  It does not fully satisfy the “educationally sound” component outlined above, but still moves along the spectrum of “enhancing the services and facilities offered to students in Ward 3 Oakville” as outlined in the intent statement.

Options C1 & C2 follow the recommendation of the Cooke report, on minimized bussing across the Ward.  It provides for walk-to JK-8 elementatary schools in Clearview; both the eastern and western sections of SouthEast Oakville (South of Cornwall); and a centrally located French Immersion site.  It is also very telling  that the July 2nd approved option (suspended and now Option B) has almost 70% of the children being bussed!  Will the school board ever get the numbers correct!  Report 0930 HDSB Final Version (419.47 kB)

It is inconceivable the Trustees would approve options for the community to comment and yet not consider them viable.  How does this instill community faith in the Board's consultation and decision making process.  Cooke calls public education a partnership of the Board, parents and community. 

Quotes from the Trustees expressing their disapproval can be found in the recent article in the Oakville Beaver, at www.oakvillebeaver.com/news/article/238025

This Thursday, 7pm at Oakville Trafalgar High School, let the Board know how you feel about this flawed process.