HAMILTON EAST

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HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE
(ARC)PUBLIC MEETING 4

• St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School
• Wednesday, February 20, 2008
• 7 P.M.

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AGENDA

• Prayer
• Welcome / Introductions
• Background
• Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee
  Findings and Recommendations
• Feedback/questions pertaining to recommendations
• Adjournment - 900 p.m.

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Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee
Members

• Chair Patricia Amos
• Superintendent of Education
• Trustee Linda DiBartolomeo
• Ward 5

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Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee
Members

• St. Christopher
• Principal Loretta Ferro
• Catholic School Council John Zimmerman
• St. John the Baptist Parish Terri Persaud
• Community Rep. Bill MacIntosh

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Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee
Members

• St. David
• Principal Sandra Scime
• Catholic School Council Ralph Urciuoli
• St. Eugene Parish Maxine Whitehead
• Incarnation Parish Kerry Dwyer-Mitchell
• Community Rep. Luisa Butera

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Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee
Members

• St. Luke
• Principal Marcelo DeAngelis
• Catholic School Council Anita Thompson
• St. Luke Parish Lucienne Rowan
• Community Rep. Marco Fortino

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In keeping with the following Education Act s.
8(1)Ministry of Education Pupil Accommodation
Review Guidelines October 31,
2006Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School
Board Policy S. 09

• The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District
  School Board shall review its pupil accommodation
  requirements annually.

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Pupil Accommodation Review Policy(S.09)

• The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School
  board is responsible for providing schools and
  facilities for its students and for operating and
  maintaining its schools as effectively and
  efficiently as possible to support student
  achievement.

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Pupil Accommodation Review Policy(S.09)

• The annual facilities review examines the
  on-going viability and operation of the schools
  taking into account declining enrolment,
  overcrowding, programming needs, facility needs,
  aging buildings and the need for new facilities.

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Addressing Growth Areas

• Since 2000, the Board has opened 6 new elementary
  schools
• Guardian Angels
• Holy Name of Mary
• Mother Teresa
• Pope John Paul
• St. Mark
• St. Thérèse of Lisieux
• A new Immaculate Heart of Mary school was built
  to replace the former school. The new school
  opened in January 2007.

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H.W.C.D.S.B. Capital Plan 2007 Funding
Requests to Ministry of Education

• The Board has submitted the following requests to
  the Ministry of Education for consideration for
  capital funds to construct new/replacement
  schools in the following areas
• Ancaster
• Heritage Green
• Flamborough
• Binbrook

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• The Board has received confirmation from the
  Ministry of Education that capital funds have
  been made available to construct a replacement
  school for St. Thomas Waterdown due to the fact
  that the school was also deemed prohibitive to
  repair.
• The Ministry has not allocated capital funds for
  the other projects at this time.

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H.W.C.D.S.B.Past School Closures Due to
Decline in Enrolment

• St. Emeric
• St. Charles Garnier
• St. Thomas Aquinas
• Holy Rosary

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H.W.C.D.S.B.School Closure/Consolidation

• Christ the King / Canadian Martyrs
• St. Bernard / St. David
• St. Cecilia / Mother Teresa
• St. Anthony / St. Luke
• St. Joan of Arc / St. Agnes

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Pupil Accommodation Review Policy(S.09)

• According to Ministry and Board Policy, the
  Accommodation Review Process must include a group
  of schools within the review area and not a
  single school.
• The process is intended to include broader
  consultation and review of data from multiple
  schools in order to help facilitate the
  development of viable and practical solutions for
  student accommodation.

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Challenges of Declining Enrolment

• Enrolment and demographics determine the need for
  permanent facilities.
• Enrolment is the key determinant of staffing
  levels in schools.
• Grade structures are determined by enrolment.
  Small enrolment can result in triple grades in a
  school.
• Enrolment is the major component in the Ministry
  of Education funding model.

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Comparison of Elementary Enrolment 2000-2007
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Enrolment Projections 2005 2015(From March 2,
2007 Board Report)
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• Key indicators critical to the school
  accommodation review process are
• A school may no longer be viable based on low
  enrolment which presents difficulty in meeting
  the educational needs of the students.
• Per pupil operating costs may be above Ministry
  funding allocations.

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• The School Valuation Framework helps to measure
  the key indicators by examining school data
  related to each of the following categories
• Value of the school to the Student
• Value of the school to the Board
• Value of the school to the Community
• Value of the school to the Local Economy

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Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee
Meetings and Public Meetings

• Committee Meeting June 21, 2007
• Committee Meeting September 17, 2007
• Committee Meeting October 23, 2007
• Public Meeting 1 October 30, 2007
• Committee Meeting November 15, 2007
• Public Meeting 2 November 29, 2007
• Committee Meeting January 15, 2008
• Public Meeting 3 January 24, 2008
• Committee Meeting February 7, 2008
• Committee Meeting February 13, 2008
• Public Meeting 4 February 20, 2008
• Committee Meeting February 26, 2008

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Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee
Meetings and Public Meetings

• Public Meeting 1 October 30, 2007
• Outlined the mandate of the Accommodation Review
  Committee Ministry and Board Policies and
  Guidelines, the Terms of Reference and the
  process to be followed. Reviewed of March and
  April 2007 Board Accommodation Reports.
• Public Meeting 2 November 29, 2007
• Presentation of draft School Valuation Framework
  documents for St. Christopher, St. David, St.
  Luke
• Public Meeting 3 January 24, 2008
• Presentation of accommodation options
• Public Meeting 4 February 20, 2008
• Draft School Valuation Report Recommendations
  for the Director of Education

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Hamilton-East ARC Recommendations School
Valuation Frameworks

• Based on the review of data from the School
  Valuation Frameworks for St. David and St. Luke
  Catholic Elementary School, as well as from input
  from the Public meetings, the Hamilton-East
  Accommodation Review Committee will recommend to
  the Director of Education that St. David Catholic
  Elementary School and St. Luke Catholic
  Elementary School are viable and should not be
  considered for closure or consolidation.

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Review of Options for St. Christopher

• At Public Meeting 3 the Hamilton-East ARC
  indicated to the community that St. Christopher
  Catholic Elementary School was being considered
  for possible closure/consolidation based on a
  review of the data from the School Valuation
  Frameworks.

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The main reason for this option to be considered
was based on Value of the School to the
Student. Declining enrolment would have a
significant impact on the grade structures which
would result in triple grades in 2008-2009 and
four grades in a class in 2009 2010.

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2008-2009 St. Christopher Enrolment Including 17
Out of Boundary Students

• JK 6
• K 6
• Grade 1 8
• Grade 2 5
• Grade 3 8
• Grade 4 9 Total Enrolment
• Grade 5 12 95
• Grade 6 13 89FTE
• Grade 7 19
• Grade 8 9

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St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School
2008-2009 - Including Out of Boundary Students
Class Structure JK/K Grade 1 14 students
triple grades ( 6 JK in a.m. with 8 Grade 1, 6 K
in p.m. with 8 Grade 1 ) Grade 2, 3, 4 22
students triple grades Grade 5/6 25
students - 2 grades
Grade 7/8 28 students 2 grades

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2009-2010St. Christopher Including Out of
Boundary Students

• JK 6
• K 6
• Grade 1 6
• Grade 2 8
• Grade 3 5
• Grade 4 8
• Grade 5 9
• Grade 6 12
• Grade 7 13
• Grade 8 19
• Enrolment 92 or 86 FTE

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2009-2010St. Christopher Including Out of
Boundary Students
JK / K / Grade 1 / Grade 2 20 (four
grades) Grade 3 / 4 / 5 22 (triple
grades) Grade 6/7 25 (cross division combined
grades) Grade 8 19 (below contract/funding
allocation)

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Challenges

• Combined grades
• Triple grades
• Four grades in a class
• Cross divisional classes
• Different learning environments required for JK/K
  and Grade 1 and 2
• Wide range of ages within each class
• Very large number of curriculum expectations
• Wide range of abilities students working above
  and below grade level students on an Individual
  Education Plan, Students with Special Needs,
  English Language Learners

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Challenges

• Fewer teachers providing instruction
• Less opportunities for teacher collaboration
• Fewer teachers for Supervision
• Fewer teachers for co-curricular activities
• Very difficult to plan, teach and assess
  multiple curriculum expectations
• Less opportunity for teacher mentoring
• Sacramental preparation
• EQAO
• Outdoor education/field trips range of ages

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Operating Costs

• The second reason that the option for
  consolidation/closure of St. Christopher was
  based on Value to the Board.
• The per pupil operating costs for the schools
  under review in Hamilton East are
• St. Christopher 11, 150 per student
• St. David 6, 375.43 per student
• St. Luke 5, 920.94 per student
• From the school year 2008-2009 onward, the cost
  to operate St. Christopher would increase based
  on the lower number of full time equivalent
  students and the increasing long term renewal
  costs.
• Estimated cost of renewal projects for St.
  Christopher over next 10 years 1,243,332.00

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Possible Boundary Changes

• The Hamilton-East Accommodation Review
  Committee discussed the question
• Could an alternative boundary organization offer
  better long-term opportunities to provide quality
  educational programs / services and
  accommodations for students within current fiscal
  realities?

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Possible Boundary Changes

• The committee discussed the possible expansion
  of the St. Christopher boundary from its current
  boundary to include a larger catchment area
  from Kenilworth Avenue to the Red Hill Valley and
  from King Street to the rail tracks.
• The committee accepted the fact that students who
  were currently residing in the expanded boundary
  would not want to change schools and attend St.
  Christopher school.
• The committee investigated the possible number of
  students that may move into the area of the
  expanded boundary within the next 3-5 years.
• Approximately 25 students may move into the
  expanded boundary area over the next 3-5 years

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• St. Christopher population over the next 3-5
  years, based on the CN Watson report

C.N. Watson report excludes out of boundary
students. In September 2008 there would be 17
additional out of boundary students if St.
Christopher were to remain open.
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• If the school remained open for 3-5 years, the
  expanded boundary would still not boost enrolment
  at St. Christopher.
• All schools in the area surrounding St.
  Christopher are also facing significant decline
  in enrolment over the next 3-5 years.
• Changing boundaries to help one school will only
  have a negative impact on another school. Since
  all the schools in lower east Hamilton are under
  review due to declining enrolment, changing
  boundaries was not accepted as a viable solution.

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Demographics

• Based on the data from the School Valuation
  Framework, there are 2884 empty pupil spaces
  within an 8 km radius of St. Christopher Catholic
  Elementary School.
• This is the equivalent of 28 schools the size of
• St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School.

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The committee was asked to outline a potential
boundary re-organization that would meet the
range of mandatory and optional programs and
ensure long-term program quality for the
students. The committee investigated a boundary
change that would see the boundary of St. John
the Baptist Catholic Elementary School expanded
to include the current St. Christopher student
population.

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• Consolidation St. John the Baptist / St.
  Christophers
• Possible Class Structures Scenario 1
• JK 20
• JK/K 20
• K 20
• Grade 1 20
• Grade 1/2 20 (14 6)
• Grade 2 19
• Grade 3 19
• Grade 3 19
• Grade 4 30
• Grade 4/5 29 (15 14)
• Grade 5 32
• Grade 6 27
• Grade 7 29
• Grade 7 30
• Grade 8 25
• Grade 8 25

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• Consolidation St. John the Baptist / St.
  Christopher
• Possible Class Structure Scenario 2
• JK 20
• JK/K 20
• K 20
• Grade 1 20
• Grade 1/2 20 (14 6)
• Grade 2 19
• Grade 3 19
• Grade 3 19
• Grade 4 22
• Grade 4 23
• Grade 5 23
• Grade 5 23
• Grade 6 27
• Grade 7 29
• Grade 7 30
• Grade 8 25

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Benefits of Consolidation

• Less combined classes
• No triple grade classes
• No classes with 4 grades in one class
• No cross divisional classes
• Learning environment can be better organized to
  meet needs of students
• Age range of students within classes more
  appropriate
• More teachers
• More opportunities for teacher collaboration,
  mentoring
• Curriculum much more manageable

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Benefits of Consolidation

• Larger, newer gymnasium
• Newer computer lab
• Large closed classrooms
• More students greater flexibility for placement
  of students
• Students can experience a variety of teaching
  styles
• Next to church

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Concerns

• Multi-levels
• Playground space

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• Additional Costs
• Transportation approx. 35,000.00
• Upgrades to receiving school
• Potential cost savings
• 1.2 million dollars in renewal costs
• Approximately 600,000.00 in annual salary costs
• Approximately 35,000.00 in annual maintenance
  costs

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Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee
Recommendations

• Based on the findings of the School
  Accommodation Review process, the Hamilton-East
  Accommodation Review Committee is recommending
  that St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School
  be closed effective June 30, 2008 and be
  consolidated with St. John the Baptist effective
  September, 2008.

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• The committee recommends that the current
  bussing distances 1.2 km for JK and K students
  and 1.6 km for Grade 1-8 students be applied to
  the new boundary subject to the Transportation
  Policy.

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• The committee recommends that all out of
  boundary students currently attending St.
  Christopher Elementary School be allowed to
  attend St. John the Baptist Catholic Elementary
  School effective September 2008.

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• The committee recommends that current out of
  boundary students from St. Christopher be allowed
  to take the bus to St. John the Baptist if they
  can be picked up at designated stops provided for
  St. Christopher students.

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• The committee recommends that the Board
  establish the new boundary for St. John the
  Baptist that will include all or part of the
  current St. Christopher boundary.
• The committee recommends that any current St.
  Christopher students and their siblings who live
  outside of the new catchment boundary for St.
  John the Baptist area be grandfathered to
  complete their elementary education at
• St. John the Baptist if they so choose.

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• The committee recommends that when new
  boundaries are established by the board, students
  living within the St. Eugene boundary be provided
  bus transportation based on the Board
  Transportation policy 1.2 km for JK and K
  students, and 1.6 km for Grade 1-8 students if
  they elect to attend St. Eugene school.

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Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee
Recommendations

• Information relating to the recommended
  consolidation of St. Christopher Catholic
  Elementary School with St. John the Baptist,
  should be shared with all current families (as
  well as all newly registered families for
  2008-2009) via the Principal by Thursday
  February 28, 2008.
• Parents should be given an opportunity to
  express possible alternative school placements
  for consideration for their child/children for
  September 2008.

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• The Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee
  will include possible enhancements to St. John
  the Baptist in the report to be presented to the
  Director.
• The estimated cost of the possible enhancements
  would be included in the report.
• The possible enhancements would be prioritized in
  the report and may include upgrades to some
  classrooms, more air conditioning, possible
  relocation of the Library Information Centre, and
  possible relocation of the main office.

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• In the event that the Board decides to close St.
  Christopher Catholic Elementary School, the
  Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee
  understands that the Board must follow the
  established Ministry of Education policies
  relating to the transfer or sale of existing
  buildings currently owned by the Board.

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• NEXT STEPS
• Committee Meeting - February 26, 2008
• The Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee
  final report to the Director of Education.
  (February 27, 2008)
• The Director of Education reviews all information
  and prepares a report to be presented to the
  Board of Trustees.
• The Board of Trustees will make a decision
  regarding the schools under review. (Possible
  date May 6, 2008)

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• NEXT STEPS
• If the Board decides to close St. Christopher
  Catholic Elementary School, the principal of
• St. Christopher will organize transition
  activities for the students and families.
• Plans to upgrades the receiving school will be
  developed and implemented based on budget and
  timelines.
• Parents will have an opportunity to participate
  in a tour of the receiving school.
• Plans will be developed for the closing of
• St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School.

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Board Web Sitewww.hwcdsb.ca

• Directors Office
• 905-525-2930 - Emilia Rastelli
• Superintendents Office
• 905-525-2930 Ext. 2203

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