Sacred Heart and St. Jerome Schools Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) Final Report NCDSB Board of Trustees Public Meeting October 27, 2012 Sacred Heart School

At the NCDSB Board of Trustees meeting held on May, 18, 2011, the following motion was passed: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Northeastern Catholic District School Board place the following schools under Pupil Accommodation Review for the school year: St. Jerome and Sacred Heart School in Kirkland Lake. Resolution: 11-97

Representing St. Jerome School Karen MacGregor - Principal Tracy Lalande - Teacher Rep Caroline Harvey - Non-Teaching Staff Rep Melissa Burnside – Catholic School Advisory Council Member (Chair, CSC) Stephanie Sinclair – Parent Representative Andra Pettenuzzo – Parent Representative Susan Berlingeri – Parish Representative

Representing Sacred Heart Catholic School Cheryl Ricco - Principal Julia Spadetto - Teacher Rep (on leave) Kimberley Walker-Hausel - Non-Teaching Staff Rep Glenna Hesketh – Catholic School Advisory Council Member Susan Berlingeri – Catholic School Advisory Council Member

Representing Central Office Glenn Sheculski – Director of Education (Chair of ARC) Mary-Lou Pollon – Manager of Financial Services Robert Landry – Manager of Plant Andrew Marks - Community Relations Officer

ARC Communication Media Releases/Advisories as to dates and times of all Public/Working Committee meetings; Posting of dates and times of all Public/Working Committee meetings on Board Website; Accommodation Review Committee link created on Board Website; ARC Address and Feedback form created on Board Website; ARC Voic created for feedback; Feedback forms provided at all Public and Working Committee meetings.

Working Committee meetings were held on: Monday, April 2, 6:30 pm – Sacred Heart Catholic School Wednesday, April 11, 6:30 pm – Sacred Heart Catholic School Tuesday, May 1, 6:30 pm – St. Jerome School Tuesday, June 12, 5:00 pm – Sacred Heart Catholic School Wednesday, September 12, 6:30 pm – Sacred Heart Catholic School Tuesday, September 18, 2012 (following 4 th Public Meeting) – Sacred Heart Catholic School

Public meetings were held on: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 – 1 st Public St. Jerome School Tuesday, May 15, 2012 – 2 nd Public Sacred Heart Catholic School Tuesday, June 19, 2012 – 3 rd Public St. Jerome School Tuesday, September 18, 2012 – 4 th Public Sacred Heart Catholic School

Assessment of the following four considerations about the school(s) being reviewed: value to the student value to the community value to the school board value to the local economy

CategoryValue VALUE TO THE STUDENTS36.77 out of 55 points VALUE TO THE BOARD13.71 out of 25 points VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY 7.50 out of 15 points VALUE TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY 3.75 out of 5 points Total61.73 out of 100 points

CategoryValue VALUE TO THE STUDENTS36.75 out of 55 points VALUE TO THE BOARD13.20 out of 25 points VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY 8.40 out of 15 points VALUE TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY 3.75 out of 5 points Total62.10 out of 100 points

Please note that the value of each of the schools is relatively the same because: The Board provides a level of education that is standard across its region; Both schools offer English and French Immersion streams; Both schools have not been identified as prohibitive to repair; Both schools are operating below capacity but above 50% capacity.

In considering all of the accommodation options, the following was taken into account: Kirkland Lake was projected to have an increase in population due to economic development trends; The uniqueness of the JK to Grade 3 and Grades 4 to 8 structures of the schools; The two schools have been well maintained with recent renovations; The schools operate within the expenditure levels of the funding guidelines; The current financial restraints within the Ontario Ministry of Education.

As of the 4 th ARC Working Committee Meeting, the options were narrowed down to three: Status quo Amalgamate two schools into one in a brand new building – Dual Track JK to Grade 8. Addition and renovation to one of the existing schools (based on research as to best location) – Dual Track JK to Grade 8.

The ARC believes that this report reflects its recommendations on the best approach to enable the Board to continue to provide quality Catholic education to its students in Kirkland Lake. After much deliberation, the ARC Working Committee recommends to the Board of Trustees of the Northeastern Catholic District School Board that Sacred Heart Catholic and St. Jerome Schools remain as Status Quo.

Board to make its decision regarding the school accommodations at the November Board Meeting (Wednesday, November 28, 2012). Principals to advise families and staff in writing of the Board decision within one week.