1. WELCOME

2. AGENDA – DECEMBER 2, 2009 Welcome
Introduction of the members of the Accommodation Review Committee (ARC)
Message from Dr. Chris Spence, Director of Education 
(a) An overview of the issues facing school boards in Ontario, the TDSB and the schools in our neighbourhood
(b) Questions for clarification 2

3. AGENDA (a) Overview of the ARC process (b) Questions for clarification
(a) Enrolment and other data
(b) Questions for clarification
Next steps:
Public Meeting #2: January 14, 2010 Bloor
Public Meeting #3: February 4, 2010 Pauline
Public Meeting #4: April TBA, Dovercourt
 Adjournment 3

4. Message from the Director of Education Dr. Chris Spence

6. Purpose:
To provide a context for Accommodation Reviews and Accommodation Review Committees (ARCs);
To explain the review process;
To answer questions you may have; and
To work collaboratively with you.

7. Every decision made by the TDSB must support a school system where the first priority is supporting Student Learning and Student Achievement. 7

8. 3 Priorities of Vision of Hope
Student Achievement
Parent and Community Engagement
Financial Stability 8

9. Challenge Facing School Boards
Most Ontario school boards are experiencing declining enrolment. The majority of children of baby boomers are no longer school age.
It is estimated that Ontario will have 140,000 fewer students in 2010 than in 2002 creating many empty classrooms and under-utilized buildings.
The Provincial funding formula is based largely on the number of students. As the number of students declines, a Board’s revenue base declines.
Fewer students means less money to maintain and upgrade schools; buy books and computers; and hire Vice Principals, specialty teachers, librarians etc.
Under-utilized schools are expensive to maintain leaving limited provincial capital funding to build new schools. 9

10. TDSB’s Challenge
Our cumulative enrolment decline from 2002 to 2010 is about 35,000 students or 13%. The decline will continue into the foreseeable future.
Millions of dollars in provincial funding will continue to be lost.
The majority of our schools were built prior to the early 1970’s and now range in age from 35 to 120 years old.
These schools have 100’s of millions of dollars in deferred maintenance. 10

11. Moving Forward TDSB’s Strategy:
Retain and attract students by providing a vast array of strategically-located programs in quality learning environments. This will be achieved by:
Selling or leasing property not needed to meet the needs of students. Funds realized can be re-invested back into improving remaining schools while improving our financial stability.
Eliminating surplus school capacity. This will greatly reduce deferred maintenance and operating costs and better position the Board to make application to the Ministry to build new schools. 11

12. Achieving Financial Stability
Disposing of property that is not required for the long-term accommodation needs of students;
Reducing deferred maintenance and operational costs associated with surplus space; and
Investing in student achievement by re-investing proceeds from property sales and related savings to upgrade schools.
E.g. additions, program upgrades, building renewal (roofs, windows, boilers), green sustainable measures, and information technology. 12

13. Supporting our Vision of K-8 Elementary Schools
Fewer transitions, a sense of community, and access to better programs such as:
Drama/Dance
Guidance and Career Education
Health and Physical Education
Technology
Library and Learning Resources
Music
Science and Technology
Visual Arts 13

14. Questions for clarification?
Thank You.
Questions for clarification? 14

15. What is an Accommodation Review Committee (ARC)?
TDSB sets up an ARC to help gather community ideas about the future of a group of local schools.
Parents, students, local politicians, a community member, and board officials are on the ARC.
The ARC makes recommendations to the TDSB based on what it hears from the community and TDSB staff. The Board will make the final decisions.
The ARC must follow precise Ministry of Education guidelines, the Board’s policy and procedure relating to the work of ARCs and its Terms of Reference for ARCs when completing its work. 15

16. ARC Timelines Timelines are mandated by the Ministry of Education.
An ARC must have its first public meeting no less than 30 days following the Board’s approval of the ARC process.
There must be a minimum of four meetings to allow the public to engage in conversations about their schools.
The ARC’s consultation period must be no less than 90 days.
After the ARC submits its report to the Director or Education, there must be no less than 60 days notice prior to the meeting of the Board when Trustees will vote on recommendations. 16

17. Roles and Responsibilities
Accommodation Review Committee (ARC):
Conducts an accommodation review within a defined planning area.
Listens to information from the local community and TDSB staff.
Holds a minimum of four public meetings.
Considers options for the future of the schools in the review.
Makes recommendations to the Director of Education and TDSB about the future of the schools in the review.
Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) does not:
Make decisions about the future use of a school (surplus/sale).
Make decisions about the use of a school by external community organizations or partners. 17

18. TERMS OF REFERENCE The ARC shall:
Review the School Information Profiles
Review, analyze and comment on accommodation options and decide whether to consider alternative accommodation options
Determine if options require new capital investment and if there is no funding, propose how to accommodate the students
Ensure all relevant information is made public
Adhere to the Ministry Pupil Accommodation Guideline 18

19. ACCOMMODATION REVIEW CRITERIA
The TDSB’s vision will guide the ARC’s work and the following criteria are to be referenced during the review process:
Minimal grade transitions: aim for JK – grade 8 schools but where this configuration is not practical, devise solutions that minimize transitions
School size: aim for 450 to 650 (elementary) and provide for full implementation of the Early Learning Program by 2015
Utilization: aim for 80% to 90% utilization rate 19

20. Community Services in Schools Full-Service Schools
TDSB administration and the Board will consider having community service agencies in schools as long as they:
Do not disrupt operations of the school;
Are able to pay rent to cover full cost of the space used and/or shared;
Pay the full cost of related renovations needed;
Meet City bylaws for use;
Do not disrupt local community (e.g. excessive traffic); and
Are consistent with the needs of our students and staff. 20

21. Questions for clarification?
Thank You.
Questions for clarification? 21

25. Summary
The total capacity of the Bloor-Dufferin planning area is 2,615 pupil places and the total September 2008 FTE enrolment is 1,428
There are 1,187 surplus pupil places and the sites are on average 55% utilized
The enrolments between 2004 and 2008 have declined by 270 students and are projected to decline an additional 81 students by 2018
This is a total decline of 351 students or 21% between 2004 and 2018
By 2018 the projected surplus pupil places are 1,268 and the sites will be 52% utilized