A local committee – Save our Schools has been formed and issued its first statement: “Please be advised that due to the news release Jan 14, 2016 a Committee has been formed – Save Our Schools with 15 community members and leaders.
“We have some resolutions that we ask to be addressed and answered at the first community consultation February 9, 2016:
1. Provide explanation on three errors found in the Facilities Plan Dated January 13, 2016
A) “Elimination of Asst. Superintendent position. ” This did not result in a savings as the money was moved to create the Network Leaders positions $250,000.
B) “OSS enrollment projection 215 by 2017″ The OSS projection is 234 by 2017. However with implementation of new timetable at OSS , the projection will be 246.75 FTE 2016/2017.
C) ” SOSS capacity of 700 currently, with no renovations” The Ministry of Education confirms a capacity for 550 students
2. Provide explanation , reasoning and financials for all scenarios in the report. Please explain the reasoning of Oliver Community – Scenario 2 – CLOSE TEN; OLIVER ELEM K-6; SOSS GR 7-12. It clearly is the least disruptive to all students, keeping all SD 53 students in their communities. The report states – OES can accommodate TEN students without a capital investment, sufficient staff for a full service school K-6. Please explain the mobility issues, there are currently wheel chair ramps and there is an elevator in the building.
3. Provide updated figures for Utilization/Capacity – The ACTUAL figures need to be corrected to reflect the implementation of the new timetable at OSS, this will create learning opportunities and further FTE that is NOT reflected in this document. Once corrected, the projected Student Capacity in 2017 will be 80% at OSS and 79% at SOSS.
4. Provide information and documents to support implementation of a 4 day / week timetable district wide. This idea is proposed and has been discussed with trustees, principals and PAC district wide. This could potentially provide SD53 with sufficient funds to address the budget deficit. The timing issue could be solved with the MOE.
As a dedicated committee – Save Our Schools – we look forward to your responses on February 9th at the consultation meeting.
Brenda Dorosz
Chair – Save Our Schools”
Dorosz says she formed this committee after no one seemed to be taking a lead role in an action plan !
The name of one school trustee was on this list given to ODN. June Harrington says she is a member of the school board and will continue to be very concerned but at her own board table.