School District No. 42 Considering School Closure Riverside Elementary School October 6, 2009

School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, 2009 Introductions

School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, 2009 Background  Cornerstone Report recommends school closures  Fall, Three schools considered for school closure. Decision made to not close schools at that time  Spring, Riverside and Mount Crescent considered for closure. First meetings with parents.  Fall, Consultation process continues

School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, 2009 Purpose and Process  We will present the district staff perspective and share with you the many pieces that go into consideration for school closure  School closure is never tied to just one thing; many factors need to be considered together  We will give you all the information we have and try to bring an understanding of why we are here  At the end of the presentation you will have an opportunity to provide further input and ask questions that you feel have not been addressed in the presentation

School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, 2009 What has changed since Spring 2009  Full-day kindergarten announced  Opening of new bridges  Enrolment continues to decline  Increased financial pressure on all school districts

School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, 2009 Major issues raised in Spring 2009 Senior staff have taken all questions asked in the spring and incorporated them into the major categories that form the basis of this presentation: 1.Enrolment numbers 2.Facilities 3.Financial impact 4.Educational opportunities

School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, District/School enrolment  Long range projections show a continuing downward trend  Large numbers of Grade 12 students are not being replaced by incoming Kindergarten students  Declining school enrolment  Capacity compared to utilization across the district

School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, 2009 District enrolment Projection Report for Public School Headcount Enrolments 2008/09 Ministry of Education enrolment projections – all grades ,34914,12113,91813,77013,67913,65813,68213,76313,85614,021 Ministry of Education enrolment projections – elementary ,9307,8517,8337,8227,9008,0278,1158,1978,3388,487

2009 District enrolment K-12 (Sept. 30/09) K

Ministry of Education enrolment projections Enrolment by year Riverside enrolment numbers (Sept 30/09) 2009 Enrolment by grade K Total

Capacity % Highland Park % Pitt Meadows % Davie Jones % Edith MacDermott % Total % Difference between Capacity and utilization+38 Analyzing Capacity and Utilization: West

Capacity % Albion % Alexander Rob % Blue Mountain % Kanaka Creek % Webster’s Corner % Whonnock % Total % Difference between capacity and utilization+167 Analyzing Capacity and Utilization: East

Capacity % Fairview % Riverside % Hammond % Maple Ridge % Glenwood % Laity View % Alouette % Mount Crescent % Eric Langton % Harry Hooge % Yennadon % Golden Ears % Total % Difference between capacity and utilization+1855 Analyzing Capacity and Utilization: Centre

2. Facilities  Age and expected lifespan  Construction quality  Access School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, 2009

3. Financial Implications Estimated year by year savings: $380,000  Principal salary and benefits  Clerical salary and benefits (full-time)  Custodial salary and benefits  Noon hour supervisors  Instructional supplies  Heat and light  Minor maintenance School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, 2009

4.Educational Opportunities Some things we have heard from people about the benefits of small schools:  Fewer classes at each grade level  Continuity with same teacher year to year  Less students at each grade level and in school  Access to communal space – gym, library  Cohesiveness of staff and parents School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, 2009

4.Educational Opportunities But what happens when they get really small…  Fewer classes at each grade level  Small peer groups  Less staff/parents to “spread out” tasks  Less time in the building by itinerant staff  Limited resources  Increased costs School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, 2009

Next Steps  Reflect on tonight’s proceedings  Review all input received  Provide a recommendation to the Board on December 9, 2009 School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, 2009

Future considerations if a decision is made to close a school  Development of a transition plan for an orderly and safe accommodation/placement of students  Consider secondary uses School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, 2009

School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, 2009 Please provide further input and ask questions that you feel have not been addressed in the presentation

School District No. 42 Considering School Closure October, 2009 Thank you