Frequently Asked Questions
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Table of Contents
FAQ
What is a Pupil Accommodation Review?
A Pupil Accommodation Review (PAR) is a public consultation process mandated by the Ministry of Education that boards must follow when considering school consolidation or closures. This process is completed to determine if school buildings are being best utilized in areas with low enrolment and substantial excess space.
What are the potential changes to our school community?
The Initial Staff Report, presented to the Board of Trustees on April 12, 2016, recommends closing Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary School and relocating secondary school specialty and Regional Learning Choices programs to Glenforest, Lorne Park, T.L. Kennedy and The Woodlands and secondary schools. The report also suggests that the Gordon Graydon site and building be repurposed as the new location for the board's Adult and Continuing Education Mississauga Campus. It's important to note that these recommendations are just that—no firm decisions have been made.
Why has the Peel board identified these schools as a review area for potential consolidation?
For the past four years, a working group, comprised of Planning and Curriculum staff, has been closely monitoring declining secondary enrolments and excess school space in south Mississauga. The working group has identified several opportunities to better serve students in this school community and make the best use of secondary school space.
When a school has low enrolment and substantial excess space, the school still requires funding for maintenance and operation. One of the key responsibilities of school boards is to ensure the effective and efficient use of space. The Peel board must make decisions about the best accommodation options for students relative to program needs and the funding that is available from the Ministry of Education.
What will be the impact of the review on students, staff and the community?
Each schools in the PAR remains committed to helping students be successful—that has not changed. During the review, each school will continue to receive the same staffing, resources and support. Although the potential for change can cause anxiety, the review process is extensive and thorough, and will take time. If any changes come out of this accommodation review, the board will work to ensure an effective transition for affected students and their families.
What is an accommodation review committee?
An Accommodation Review Committee is formed once a Pupil Accommodation Review has been approved. This advisory committee will provide feedback with respect to the Initial Staff Report and the option set out therein and may also present alternative accommodation options. The overall goal of the ARC will be to provide the local perspective of stakeholders impacted by the decision of the Board of Trustees, and to provide constructive feedback regarding the Initial Staff Report, school information profiles and the preferred staff recommended option.
The ARC consists of:
- one parent/guardian representative (the School Council Chair) from each school under review
- one alternate parent/guardian, who will attend ARC meetings the School Council Chair is unable to attend
- superintendents of education
- principals of identified schools
- board staff
- local trustees
- may include one municipal administrative representative (e.g. from the City of Mississauga's Planning department) if he/she wishes to sit on the ARC
The ARC will be led by Jane Mason, superintendent of education (retired) and chair of the ARC. The chair will facilitate all meetings of the ARC and public meetings.
How long will this process take?
The review process is extensive and thorough, and will take time. This is just the beginning of a long conversation about how to best serve our students. The accommodation review is scheduled to conclude in January/February 2017. If the recommendations are approved, transition planning will begin Winter/Spring 2017, and implementation will commence September 2018 with the enhanced programs at Glenforest, The Woodlands, and Lorne Park secondary schools.
What is proposed schedule for PAR meetings and activities?
The proposed schedule of PAR activites is as follows:
|
April 12, 2016 | Initial Staff Report Approved by Board |
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April to November 2016 | Accommodation Review Committee meetings (specific dates to be determined, summer months excluded) |
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June 2, 2016 | First Public Meeting, 7 p.m. Port Credit Secondary School (cafeteria) 70 Mineola Rd. E., Mississauga |
|
November 23, 2016 | Second Public Meeting, 7 p.m. Port Credit Secondary School (cafeteria) 70 Mineola Rd. E., Mississauga |
| December 12, 2016 | Board staff submit FInal Staff Report to the Board of Trustees for receipt |
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January 10, 2017 | Public Delegations to Regular Meeting of the Board |
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January 24, 2017 | Final Staff Report to Regular Meeting of the Board |
What is the consultation process?
The Peel board is committed to keeping staff and parents informed. Through the ARC, the community will be well-informed of the process and timelines. There will be opportunities for genuine input and discussion at two public meetings, with the first one taking place in June.
What happens to the schools while they wait to see if they will be consolidated?
Each of the schools in the review area remains committed to helping children be successful—that has not changed. Each school will continue to be staffed according to the board's regular annual staffing process.
How will this affect staff at the affected schools?
At this point, it's too early to know exactly how these changes will impact school staffing. The option presented in the Initial Staff Report is a recommendation and no decisions have been made. However, generally speaking, in the case of a school closure, all school staff would be declared excess as part of the Peel board's normal staffing process. If there are any changes coming out of this accommodation review, they will not be implemented before June 2018. The Peel board will be working closely with its federation and unions to provide any support and assistance needed to employees impacted in this process.
When will staff find out what happens to their job?
Any staffing implications as a result of this accommodation review will be determined through the board's regular annual staffing process in Spring 2018. Staff are encouraged to share questions and concerns by emailing
par@peelsb.com.
How can I get updates and get involved in this process?
All information about the accommodation review will be posted on the Peel board website at
www.peelschools.org. Dates, agendas and minutes of all meetings will be posted on the website, along with extensive background information. You may choose to subscribe to receive email notifications of website updates by visiting
www.peelschools.org/aboutus/subscribe, and selecting the "Pupil Accommodation Review" option. You will need to confirm the subscription by replying to an email that will be sent to you once you have completed the online subscription request.
The board will promote public meetings through the board website, school websites, synrevoice messages and/or letters to all affected schools, social media (Twitter and Facebook), and advertisements placed in the local newspaper.
Staff, families and the general public may also submit questions and feedback to
par@peelsb.com. A response will be provided within 48 hours of receiving questions and/or feedback. The most frequently asked questions and answers will be posted on the Peel board website at
www.peelschools.org/PAR.
What are the next steps?
The Peel District School Board invites families and members of the public to attend the second public meeting for the Pupil Accommodation Review (PAR) for Gordon Graydon Memorial, Glenforest, Lorne Park, TL Kennedy and The Woodlands secondary schools:
Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016, 7 to 9 p.m.
Port Credit Secondary School, School Cafeteria
70 Mineola Rd. E., Mississauga
Attendees will learn about and have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on:
- the final alternate options put forth by the Accommodation Review Committee (ARC
- the Peel board’s Final Staff Report for the Pupil Accommodation Review of Gordon Graydon Memorial, Glenforest, Lorne Park, TL Kennedy and The Woodlands secondary schools
Feedback received at the second public meeting will be included in the Community Consultation section of the Final Staff Report.
Board staff will submit the Final Staff Report to the Board of Trustees for receipton December 12, 2016.
Individuals or groups can express their opinions or make submissions regarding the Final Staff Report by delegating the Board of Trustees at the Regular Meeting of the Board on Jan. 10, 2017. The meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the HJA Brown Education Centre, located at 5650 Hurontario St. in Mississauga. To make a delegation, visit
www.peelschools.org/trustees/delegations for next steps.
Trustees will make a decision on the staff recommendations in the Final Staff Report at the Regular Meeting of the Board on Jan. 24, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at the HJA Brown Education Centre, located at 5650 Hurontario St. in Mississauga.