School District No' 40 New Westminster

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• School District No. 40 (New Westminster)
• Richard McBride Elementary School
• Report on Possible Consolidation and Closure
• Special Public Meeting
• May 21st, 2009

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Background
• April 8th, 2009 Board of Education supports
  Superintendents recommendation to consider the
  closure of Hume Park School and its consolidation
  with Richard McBride School
• April 20th, 2009 Notice to parents/community
  regarding Public Information Meeting on Thursday,
  April 30th
• April 24th, 2009 Report addressing the possible
  closure of Hume Park School made available to the
  public. Also posted on the School District
  Website
• April 30th, 2009 Special Public Meeting
  regarding possible Hume Park Closure
• May 13th, 2009 Notice regarding Richard McBride
  Public Meeting on Thursday, May 21st
• May 14th, 2009 Report addressing possible
  consolidation of Hume Park with Richard McBride
  Elementary School made available to the public.
  Also posted on the School District Website
• May 21st 2009 Special Public Meeting regarding
  possible Richard McBride consolidation.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Background (Continued)
• Forty-five day consultation period commenced on
  April 8th and concludes on May 23rd.
• Additional public meetings may be scheduled if
  the Board determines that further opportunities
  for public input are necessary.
• Decision regarding closure scheduled for Tuesday,
  May 26th at G.M.S. at the Open Board Meeting
• No decision re closure/consolidation to be made
  prior to this time.
• Additional opportunities to provide input to the
  Board via Comment Form located on the homepage of
  the district website.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School
• Changes from Previous Report
• Second paragraph on first page removed from May
  14th Report
• Hume Park has historically held concerts and
  sports events utilizing the gymnasium at Richard
  McBride School as it does not have a gymnasium of
  its own. The two schools work cooperatively in
  scheduling dates for the gymnasium use and other
  aspects of the school program
• Baragar data from first report regarding the
  number of Hume Park students currently attending
  Richard McBride amended from 39 to 26
• Information included regarding the relative
  proximity of Hume Park School to the BRVP as
  compared to the other five schools.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School
• Richard McBride is a medium-sized school and has
  a current total enrolment of 338 students (306
  fte.). Its projections for the next five years
  are as follows (Baragar)
• a) 2009/10 - 317 students b) 2010/11 - 319
  students c) 2011/12 - 316 students
• d) 2012/13 - 315 students e) 2013/14 - 313
  students
• Presently, there are 16 divisions at Richard
  McBride School (10 regular stream 6 Montessori)
• Of this number, there are three Kindergarten
  divisions (two regular one Montessori) and 13
  grade one-to-five divisions (eight regular and
  five Montessori)
• Currently, seven divisions are single-grade
  configuration classes and three are split-grade
  classes in the regular program
• There is one single-grade division and five
  split-grade divisions in the Montessori program
• It is estimated that the consolidation of Hume
  Park with Richard McBride School would result in
  12 single-grade classes in 2009/10 (see Table
  Combined Enrolment)
• The Official Enrolment Capacity for Richard
  McBride is 340 students. The OEC is a provincial
  figure representing the minimum capacity
  utilization for elementary schools which is set
  at 95 in B.C.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Richard McBride (continued)
• Possible consolidation two existing classrooms
  required to accommodate the Hume Park student
  population.
• Would require two of the following three rooms to
  be located elsewhere a) Learning Services
  department, b) District Meeting Room, and/or c)
  the Multipurpose Room
• 22 additional Montessori students in 2009/10
  would occupy a currently vacant classroom in the
  p.m.
• Students organized in family groupings in
  grades 1-5 and would not create the need for an
  extra division.
• Some of the new Montessori students may be
  current Richard McBride students
• Increases official capacity from 109 to 112 in
  2009/10

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation
Richard McBride School Fall 2009 Configuration
K-to-Gr. 5
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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation
Richard McBride School Consolidation with Hume
Park Students K-to-Grade 5
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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation
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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Hume Park Background
• Hume Park is a small elementary school in New
  Westminster with a current student population of
  66 students (60 fte.)
• As of April 30th, the number of students per
  grade is as follows
• a) 12 half-day Kindergarten b) 9 grade one c)
  13 grade two d) 15 grade three e) 12 grade
  four f) 5 grade five
• There are currently three divisions at Hume Park
  School 1) K/1 with 20 students, 2) gr. 2/3 with
  22 students, and 3) gr. 3/4/5 with 22 students

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Hume Park Background
• There are currently 3.7 fte. teaching and 4.4
  fte. support staff at Hume Park Elementary
  School
• Hume Parks enrolment projections (in fte.) over
  the next five years are as follows
• a) 2009/10 64 students b) 2010/11 59
  students c) 2011/12 53 students d) 2012/13
  51 students e) 2013/14 56 students
• Currently, there are 26 students from the Hume
  Park catchment attending Richard McBride (11 in
  Montessori 15 in regular program).
• The Official Enrolment Capacity for Hume Park
  School as established by the MoE at the 95 level
  is 90 fte. students.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• School Utilization/Future Growth
• Richard McBride School
• Richard McBrides population is projected to
  decrease modestly over the next 15 years with a
  top enrolment of 323 students in 2016 and a peak
  Official Capacity of 95 percent in 2016
• Overall increase in Official Capacity with Hume
  Park consolidated as part of Richard McBride
  ranges from 108 percent (lowest) to 115 percent
  (highest) over a 15 year period from 2009 2023.
• Hume Park School
• Hume Parks population is projected to decline
  modestly in upcoming years, and stabilize in
  2015, and reach its peak at 71 students in 2023
• Enrolment projections for Hume Park over the next
  15 years (i.e., 2009 2023) reaches its maximum
  official capacity of 79 percent in 2023 which is
  below the MoE minimum threshold of 95 percent.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation
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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Richard McBride Future Growth
• The present size of Richard McBride School is 1.9
  hectares, whereas the typical area for a school
  of comparable size 1.8 hectares (Matrix Report)
  (see G.E. photo)
• The potential for future expansion in the event
  of significant enrolment increases is rated as
  Adequate (Matrix Report, 2007)
• Significant enrolment changes would be increases
  beyond that required for the consolidation of
  Hume Park and Richard McBride.
• Hume Park Future Growth
• Hume Park limited by its size and restricted
  capacity to expand, even in the event of
  confirmed future development (rated as poor)
• Size of Hume Park is 0.2 hectares vs. typical
  area for school of comparable size 1.2 hectares
  (Matrix Report) (See GE photo)

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation
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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation
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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Richard McBride Future Growth
• Former Labbatts site potential for future
  growth
• Total number of units to be built 800 total
  (City of New Westminster)
• a) 664 high-rise apartments,
• b) 107 low-rise apartments, and
• c) 29 townhouses.
• No data re specific number of students projected
  from this development
• Project to be built in phases site preparation
  is currently underway
• Project to be completed 15 yrs. in 2024 (City of
  New Westminster).

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Richard McBride/Hume Park Future Growth
• City of New Westminsters Official Community Plan
  (adopted June 15, 1998)
• Intensification of upper/lower Columbia Street
  East identified as options for 2009-to-2021
• Lower Columbia OCP - rezoning of commercial
  properties to permit additional multi-family
  residential development as an option
• Upper Columbia OCP rezoning of current
  single-family properties to permit moderate level
  of increased density as an option
• At present, there are no developments either
  underway or planned for either Upper/Lower
  Columbia Street East areas (Department of
  Planning, City of New Westminster)
• Summation Options/Priorities identified for
  future potential however, impact would be
  negligible over next decade given absence of
  current development.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Hume Park Future Growth
• The Brunette River Village Project greatest
  potential for future growth
• 2,000 dwelling units over 10 years number of
  school-aged children expected to be approx. 232
  (if no bridge) and 434 (with bridge)
• Expected number of K-to-grade 5 aged children
  range from 81-to-104
• School-aged students from the BRVP could attend
  one of six elementary schools in the area,
  namely
• a) Anderson Elementary, b) Cameron Elementary,
  c) Armstrong Elementary, d) Hume Park Elementary,
  e) Richard McBride Elementary, f) St. Michaels
  School.
• Note Of these six schools, Hume Park is in
  closest proximity to the BRVP relative to the
  other five schools and could therefore benefit
  most substantially from new enrolment

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Hume Park Future Growth (continued)
• BRVP still at the approval stage with City of
  Coquitlam
• No development permit
• no construction for 4-to-5 years
• Not presently supported by City of New
  Westminster
• Neither SD 41 or SD 43 have developed enrolment
  projections based on the BRVP.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Proximity/Routes to Richard McBride
• Currently, there are 26 students attending
  Richard McBride from Hume Park catchment area
• Richard McBride is approx. 1.0 km distance from
  Hume Park School
• Two major roadways Columbia Street and Braid
  Street
• Exact number of students who travel on foot daily
  to McBride is not known. Route is uphill from
  Columbia to Richmond Street
• Presently, there are 19 students attending Park
  Place Daycare at Hume Park who travel on foot,
  with adult supervision, to and from Richard
  McBride School daily
• Some of these students most likely reside in
  Richard McBride catchment and attend PP due to
  lack of space at Hillside Daycare.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Community Impact
• Closure and consolidation would have a
  discernable impact on the community
• Richard McBride to grow by approx. 60 students
  although modest level of growth, a
  transition/adjustment period would commence
• Hume Park School has been a central feature of
  its community for many years
• Long-standing association/connection with Hume
  Park School on the part of community
• Hume Park community is a relatively small
  residential neighbourhood situated directly
  adjacent to the Richard McBride residential area
• Positive potential for a successful
  transition/consolidation.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Impact on Daycare Programs
• Hillside Daycare currently operates at full
  capacity with a small waitlist
• Accommodating new students from Hume Park
  difficult at this time
• A portable could be accommodated at some point
  in the future
• Park Place Daycare at Hume Park current enrolment
  32 students
• 19 attend Richard McBride 13 attend Hume Park
• W.C.A.S.S. is supportive of maintaining the Park
  Place program in its current location
• The Board of Education is supportive of parents
  wishing to have their children continue to attend
  in the event of closure
• Long term arrangement cannot be discussed until
  after the closure/consolidation process has been
  concluded
• The Board supportive of operation of program
  for 2009/10 and possibly beyond.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Richard McBride Educational Considerations
• Some adjustments two additional divisions to be
  factored into scheduling for gymnasium time,
  computer lab, library, etc.
• Classrooms/divisions will be slightly larger (see
  previous configurations)
• Principal indicates that currently gym schedule
  is undersubscribed and new students would
  essentially fill unused space.
• Increases in class sizes, for the most part would
  be modest and would be within the guidelines as
  established by Bill 33.
• Hume Park Educational Considerations
• Considerations focus on outcomes that would
  occur
• No value or subjective judgments re more/less
  advantageous in one type of environment vs.
  another
• Focus is on increases in access to a wider
  range of student services and support structures
  (e.g., gym space computer lab library
  resources special education services, etc.)

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Optimal School Size
• Recognition that Optimal is a subjective
  assessment
• Based on a review of current research literature,
  the following school sizes have been identified
  as optimal (Nanaimo School Administrators
  Association 2007)
• a) Elementary School 300 500 students
• b) Middle School 400 500 students
• c) Secondary School 800 1200 students
• The Campbell River Elementary School Task Force
  (Feb. 2001) and the Saanich SD Study (Aug. 2003)
  identified an optimal size for elementary
  schools 250 400 students
• The USA Urban School Reform Report sets the upper
  limit for small schools at 350 students.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Financial Considerations
• Closure/consolidation of Hume Park with Richard
  McBride School would have a financial impact
• Estimated savings resulting from closure and
  consolidation approximately 243,000.00
• These savings would apply on an annual basis vs.
  on a one-time basis (i.e., they are structural
  savings)
• The Utilities and Maintenance savings represent a
  66 percent adjustment, as there would be some
  ongoing maintenance/electrical costs even in the
  event of closure.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Five-Year Capital Plan
• MoE requires that school districts demonstrate
  efficient use of existing facilities in order to
  be considered for new capital funding
• Traditionally, consolidation efforts have
  assisted school districts in B.C. in their
  efforts to secure support from the MoE for
  capital improvements
• It is anticipated that if closure/consolidation
  were to proceed, the MoE would be more likely to
  support future capital improvement requests for
  the school district.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Baragar Demographics (Who are they?)
• Independent company specializes in demographic
  profiling and forecasting for school districts
  across North America. Established 1981 NW began
  utilizes services in 1994
• BD currently serves 70 school districts across
  Canada and the U.S. including 34 of the 60 public
  SDs in British Columbia
• New Westminster has Demographic Dynamics
  software to forecast enrolment by school and/or
  district
• Demographic Dynamics a) Birth Registry of B.C.,
  b) Revenue Canada, c) net migration, d) Canada
  Census data, e) 1701 Student Enrolment Data, f)
  Participation rates, g) Approval for
  developments.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• Matrix Planning Associates
• Conducted a Strategic Facilities Review for the
  school district in 2007
• Has conducted formal facilities reviews for
  numerous school districts in B.C.
• The review included a comprehensive analysis and
  assessment of all the districts current school
  facilities
• Statistics regarding current size of Richard
  McBride and Hume Park and its potential for
  expansion derived from this report.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Richard McBride Elementary School Report
• MoE Official Capacity
• Determined by the Ministry of Education and
  applies to all schools in British Columbia
• OC based on Kindergarten at 40 half-time
  students/class 25 students at elementary level
  and 25 at middle/secondary
• Is a fixed figure and is only subject to change
  if physical space is altered which would require
  an adjustment
• MoE has established a minimum threshold
  official capacity of 95 percent for
  elementary/middle, and 110 percent for secondary
  
• Capital project expansions are only given
  consideration by the MoE when these minimum
  thresholds are met.

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Richard McBride Elementary SchoolReport on
Possible Closure/Consolidation

• Summary
• Forty-five day consultation period commenced on
  April 8th and concludes on May 23rd.
• Additional public meetings may be scheduled if
  the Board determines that further opportunities
  for public input are necessary.
• Decision regarding closure scheduled for Tuesday,
  May 26th at G.M.S. at the Open Board Meeting
• No decision re closure/consolidation to be made
  prior to this time.
• Additional opportunities to provide input to the
  Board via Comment Form located on the homepage of
  the district website.