1. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE (ARC) PUBLIC MEETING # 4 St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7 P.M.

2. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE AGENDA Prayer Welcome / Introductions Background Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee – Findings and Recommendations Feedback/questions pertaining to recommendations Adjournment - 9:00 p.m.

3. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee Members Chair – Patricia Amos Superintendent of Education Trustee – Linda DiBartolomeo Ward 5

4. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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

5. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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

6. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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

7. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE In keeping with the following: Education Act s. 8(1) Ministry of Education Pupil Accommodation Review Guidelines – October 31, 2006 Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board Policy S. 09 The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board shall review its pupil accommodation requirements annually.

8. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

9. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

10. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

11. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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

12. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

13. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE H.W.C.D.S.B. Past School Closures – Due to Decline in Enrolment St. Emeric St. Charles Garnier St. Thomas Aquinas Holy Rosary

14. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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

15. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

16. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

17. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE Comparison of Elementary Enrolment 2000-2007 20002001200220032004200520062007 20,56620,87420,93020,74520,32020,03619,72519,391 +/- 308 +/- 56 +/- -185 +/- -425 +/- -284 +/- -311 +/- -334

18. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE Enrolment Projections 2005 – 2015 (From March 2, 2007 Board Report) 20052006200720082009201020112012201320142015 20,03619,72519,40719,22719,10918,97418,85818,76818,73918,65018,564

19. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

20. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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

21. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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 #1October 30, 2007 Committee Meeting November 15, 2007 Public Meeting #2November 29, 2007 Committee MeetingJanuary 15, 2008 Public Meeting #3January 24, 2008 Committee Meeting February 7, 2008 Committee Meeting February 13, 2008 Public Meeting #4February 20, 2008 Committee MeetingFebruary 26, 2008

22. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee Meetings and Public Meetings Public Meeting #1October 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 #2November 29, 2007 Presentation of draft School Valuation Framework documents for St. Christopher, St. David, St. Luke Public Meeting #3January 24, 2008 Presentation of accommodation options Public Meeting #4February 20, 2008 Draft School Valuation Report – Recommendations for the Director of Education

23. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

24. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

25. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

26. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE JK 6 K 6 Grade 18 Grade 25 Grade 38 Grade 49Total Enrolment Grade 51295 Grade 61389FTE Grade 719 Grade 89 2008-2009 St. Christopher Enrolment Including 17 Out of Boundary Students

27. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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 St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School 2008-2009 - Including Out of Boundary Students

28. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 2009-2010 St. Christopher – Including Out of Boundary Students JK 6 K 6 Grade 1 6 Grade 28 Grade 35 Grade 48 Grade 59 Grade 612 Grade 713 Grade 819 Enrolment 92 or 86 FTE

29. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 2009-2010 St. 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)

30. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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 Challenges

31. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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 Challenges

32. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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 Operating Costs

33. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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? Possible Boundary Changes

34. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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 Possible Boundary Changes

35. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE St. Christopher population over the next 3-5 years, based on the CN Watson report 20082009201020112012 8371676459 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.

36. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

37. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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. Demographics

38. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

39. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE Consolidation St. John the Baptist / St. Christopher’s 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 4 30 Grade 4/5 29 (15 + 14) Grade 5 32 Grade 6 27 Grade 7 29 Grade 7 30 Grade 8 25

40. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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 4 22 Grade 4 23 Grade 5 23 Grade 6 27 Grade 7 29 Grade 7 30 Grade 8 25 Total = 384 or 369 FTE

41. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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

42. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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

43. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE Concerns Multi-levels Playground space

44. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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

45. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

46. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

47. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

48. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

49. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

50. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

51. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

52. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

53. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

54. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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)

55. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE 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.

56. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE Director’s Office: 905-525-2930 - Emilia Rastelli Superintendent’s Office 905-525-2930 Ext. 2203 Board Web Site www.hwcdsb.ca www.hwcdsb.ca

57. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE