Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) - Norfolk Secondary
UPDATE (29.10.12): The following motion received final approval and was ratified at the Regular Board Meeting:
Norfolk Secondary School Accommodation Review - Committee Report and Norfolk Secondary School Accommodation Review - Senior Administration (from May 14, 2012):
(a) THAT The Grand Erie District School Board approve Senior Administration Recommendations for each school in the Accommodation Review:
Delhi District Secondary School:
i. Make Advanced Placement courses available in senior academic subjects (to be determined)
ii. Keep the busing in place for the Norwich area and continue to support engagement of the Norwich students
Doverwood Public School:
i. Relocate Doverwood Public School to the current PDCS facility
ii. Repurpose Doverwood Public School facility
Port Dover Composite School:
i. Close Port Dover Composite School.
ii. Repurpose the facility to accommodate Doverwood Public School (Kindergarten–Grade 8)
v. Continue to support the development of a partnership that would see the Norfolk Public Library Board locate its Port Dover branch in PDCS as a shared use facility
Simcoe Composite School:
i. Investigate the International Baccalaureate program (grade 11 and grade 12)
ii. Enhance Health Sciences Program with additional college, university, and healthcare partnerships
iv. Investigate a one-semester per year Theatre Magnet Pilot of SCS located at the Lighthouse Festival Theatre
Valley Heights Secondary School:
i. Enhance Turning Point with additional programming
Waterford District High School:
i. Make Advanced Placement courses available in senior academic subjects (to be determined)
(b) THAT the Grand Erie District School Board close Port Dover Composite School effective January 31, 2013 and relocate Doverwood Public School to Port Dover Composite effective September 2013.
Approval of Two Transition Committees: The Trustees of the Grand Erie District School Board approved the establishment of a Transition Committee for Doverwood Public School and a Transition Committee for Port Dover Composite School.
(26.10.12): Agenda for Monday's Regular Board Meeting is now posted. Click here for more. Delegations include: Steve Talos, Jay Mayo, Nancy Lord, and Michaela Morris.
(15.10.12): Trustees moved the following two motions at the Committee of the Whole Meeting No. 2 to be ratified at the Regular Board Meeting held on October 29, 2012.
(15.10.12): Additional information was presented to the Board of Trustees during the Committee of the Whole Meeting No. 2. To view the Census Data presented by Jamie Gunn, Superintendent of Education, click here.
(12.10.12): Committee of Whole Meeting No. 2 Agenda is now posted for Monday, October 15, 2012 at 7:15 p.m. | Boardroom. Click here for details.
(10.09.12): Trustees will meet on Monday, October 15, 2012 at the Committee of the Whole Meeting No. 2 (7:15 p.m. | Boardroom, 349 Erie Avenue, Brantford) to discuss the recommendations submitted to the Trustees by Senior Administration and by the Accommodation Review Committee. Trustees will consider the two recommendations and, pending trustee direction, could refer a motion to the Regular Board Meeting for final approval. The next Regular Board Meeting is held on Monday, October 29.
An agenda will be posted on Friday, October 12, 2012.
Click here for information on how to become a delegate.
(09.07.12): A Special Board Meeting was held on Monday, July 9, 2012 at Port Dover Composite School to discuss the motion tabled on June 25, 2012. The motion was defeated by the Board of Trustees. Prior to the decision to defeat the motion, the following delegations were presented to the Board of Trustees about the Norfolk Secondary School Accommodation Review: Becky Pow; Steve Talos; Shelby Balcomb; Elizabeth Schuyler; Paul Morris; and Scott Bravener.
(29.06.12): Trustees of the Grand Erie District School Board have set July 9, 2012 (6:00 p.m. | PDCS) for a Special Board Meeting to discuss a motion to close Port Dover Composite School (PDCS) and reassign students to other Grand Erie District School Board schools effective August 31, 2012.
Click here for information on how to become a delegate. To view the advertisement featured in local newspapers, click here.
(25.06.12): A motion was introduced by Trustee Don Werden at the Regular Board Meeting on June 25 that was referred to a Special Board Meeting on July 9, 2012. The motion is stated below as written:
That the Grand Erie District School Board, as allowed by By-Law BL 16, suspend the following procedure in Policy FT5. Under the heading “Procedures” 3 - c 4th paragraph (4th bullet).
“The Board’s administration report and recommendations will be presented to a Committee of the Whole Board. The Board of Trustees will vote on the recommendations no earlier than 60 days from the date of the Board meeting following the Committee of the Whole meeting. This shall not include summer vacation, Christmas and March break and the adjacent weekends to these holidays. The report and recommendations of administration shall be made available to the public when it is presented to the Trustees.”
And that the Grand Erie District School Board close Port Dover Composite School as a secondary school effective August 31, 2012.
And that administration reviews the Norfolk secondary catchment boundaries and brings a report to the Board at the second Committee of the Whole Board in October 2012 with a recommended realignment.
And that the students in the Port Dover Composite catchment area are provided bussing to Simcoe Composite School effective September 1, 2012 and that the current express bus to Waterford District High School from Port Dover be continued.
And that a transition committee, as per Policy FT9, be convened as soon as possible to help ensure a smooth transition for Port Dover secondary students into other GEDSB secondary schools.
(11.06.12): Trustees received the Norfolk Secondary Accommodation Review - Supplementary Report as information, which seeks to clarify items that were requested by the Trustees as part of the Accommodation Review Committee Report.
The report outlines information that the Board of Trustees requested including more information about the International Baccalaureate Program; Advance Placement Program; and the International Student Program. There was also information related to: Option to "Repurpose' Doverwood Public School; Long Term Plan to consolidate schools; and 2012-13 Costs to support full programming in Norfolk School.
(29.05.12): Trustees formally recieved the following reports through the approval of minutes at the Regular Board Meeting on May 28, 2012:
As directed in the Board Stage in Board Policy FT5, the final approval of receiving the reports begins a 60 day consultation period (excluding the summer months) before the Board of Trustees will vote on the recommendations. Both reports will be discussed at the Committee of the Whole Meeting No. 2 scheduled for October 15, 2012.
To provide input, please email info@granderie.ca or see the delegation process below to present to the Board of Trustees.
DELEGATIONS
There will be an opportunity for members of the community to provide input to the Board prior its final decision. Learn more about the delegation process.
Public consultation is at the heart of this accommodation review process. We value the input from the community and extend our appreciation to everyone who are able to participate in this discussion.
STAGES OF THE ACCOMMODATION REVIEW
- Preparation Stage – Complete
- Community Review Stage – Complete
- The Board Review and Decision Stage – Complete
Grand Erie District School Board has approved an accommodation study for the secondary schools in Norfolk. The schools included in the review are:
Delhi District Secondary School; Doverwood Public School; Port Dover Composite School; Simcoe Composite School; Valley Heights Secondary School; and Waterford District High School.
*Doverwood Public School is in the accommodation study because in Senior Administration's option, Doverwood Public School would close and all JK-6 students would move in with the grade 7 and 8 students in Port Dover Composite School.
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RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE
The Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) made a recommendation based on a short- and long-term plan, as well as a recommendation for each school in the review.
Short-term plan (5 years):
1. Keep all five secondary schools in Norfolk County open; keep Doverwood Public School
open in its current location.
2. Stop courtesy busing out-of-catchment for students in grades 9 and 10; provide courtesy
busing as per Board motion for students to meet program needs in other Norfolk Secondary Schools in grades 11 and 12.
3. Provide suitable pathway programming with additional enhancements at each school.
4. Make the Advanced Placement program available at all Grand Erie District School Board secondary schools.
5. Seek potential partnerships with community organizations in all schools that enhance school climate and programming and address excess pupil spaces.
ARC Recommendations for Each School in the Accommodation Review:
- Delhi District Secondary School: i. Keep the busing in place for the Norwich area and continue to support engagement of the Norwich students.
- Doverwood Public School:i. Status quo.
- Port Dover Composite School: i. Collaborate with local organizations to create a Faith-based program to be implemented at Port Dover Composite School. We feel that this could draw additional students to our school that may have an interest in faith-based activities being part of their day. The Faith-based program would occur before and/or after regular school hours. Promote Port Dover Composite School to all faith-based and private elementary schools within one hour of Port Dover; ii. Expand the current Theatre Arts program to make Port Dover Composite School a school focused on the arts; and iii. Promote the International program once again at Port Dover Composite School which will focus on attracting international students in senior grades as well as the Arts.
- Simcoe Composite School: i. Explore the International Baccalaureate program or an Academic-focused program; and ii. Strengthen and enhance the Health Sciences program.
- Valley Heights Secondary School: i. Enhance the Turning Point program.
- Waterford District High School: i. Continue to enhance program to attract students; and ii. Provide busing for Mount Pleasant students to attend Waterford District High School to attract students who are not currently attending a Grand Erie school.
Long-term plan (10 years):
1. If consolidation is required, consolidate Port Dover Composite School, Simcoe Composite School and Waterford District High School into one new facility.
2. Keep Delhi District Secondary School and Valley Heights Secondary School open.
3. Doverwood Public School becomes a JK – 8 school in a location in Port Dover to be determined.
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SENIOR ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EACH SCHOOL IN THE ACCOMMODATION REVIEW - Presented in May, 2012:
The impact of declining enrolment now and into the future is a reality that must be recognized in the design of a plan for secondary school education in Norfolk County. Over the course of the past year, members of senior administration received many requests for information and data from the Norfolk Accommodation Review Committee. Research into a variety of unique program options to attract students and recommendations by the review committee have been considered in the development of the following recommendations from senior administration:
Delhi District Secondary School:
i. Make Advanced Placement courses available in senior academic subjects (to be determined)
ii. Keep the busing in place for the Norwich area and continue to support engagement of the Norwich students
Doverwood Public School:
i. Relocate Doverwood Public School to the current PDCS facility
ii. Repurpose Doverwood Public School facility
Port Dover Composite School:
i. Close Port Dover Composite School
ii. Repurpose the facility to accommodate Doverwood Public School (Kindergarten – Grade 8)
iii. At the current PDCS facility, establish a Faith-based Focus Program Pilot beginning with grade 9 students and expanding annually as appropriate; this program will operate as a satellite campus of WDHS
iv. Promote the International Student Program with a focus on attracting international students who wish to attend a Faith-based Focus Program
v. Continue to support the development of a partnership that would see the Norfolk Public Library Board locate its Port Dover branch in PDCS as a shared use facility
Simcoe Composite School:
i. Offer International Baccalaureate Program (grade 11 and grade 12)
ii. Enhance Health Sciences Program with additional college, university, and healthcare partnerships
iii. Promote the International Student Program with a focus on attracting international students who wish to attend an International Baccalaureate Program or Health Sciences Program iv. Investigate a one-semester per year Theatre Magnet Pilot of SCS located at the Lighthouse Festival Theatre
Valley Heights Secondary School:
i. Enhance Turning Point with additional programming
Waterford District High School
i. Make Advanced Placement courses available in senior academic subjects (to be determined)
ii. Locate WDHS satellite campus for Faith-Based Pilot at the current PDCS facility
OPTIONS CONSIDERED BY ADMINISTRATION PRESENTED TO THE ACCOMMODATION
REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION - presented in June, 2011:
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Status Quo
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Close PDCS and return grade 7 and 8 program to Doverwood Elementary
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Close PDCS, assign PDCS students to SCS and re-purpose the facility as a JK-8 school - SENIOR ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION*
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Close WDHS and PDCS
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Close PDCS and operate the facility as a satellite campus of another Norfolk Secondary School offering specialty/magnet programming
*As per Board Policy, Senior Administration must state a recommendation to the Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) at the first meeting. The option chosen by Senior Administration is considered by the ARC among all five considerations presented. The ARC will then make their recommendation known to the Board of Trustees at the appropriate stage in the process.
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AGENDAS, MEETING NOTES, AND SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL DURING ARC MEETING
ARC MEETING No. 10 - Port Dover Composite School
ARC MEETING No. 9 - Valley Heights Secondary School
ARC MEETING No. 8 - Delhi District Secondary School
Presentation:
Additional Considerations - Presented By Andy Nesbitt, Superintendent of Education and Lynn Abbey, Program Coordinator - Secondary/Student Success and Jamie Gunn, Superintendent of Business
ARC MEETING No. 7 - Waterford District High School
Agenda for February 23, 2012
Minutes for February 23, 2012
Presentation: Accommodation Review Committee - Programs Options - Presented by Andy Nesbitt, Superintendent of Education and Lynn Abbey, Program Coordinator - Secondary/Student Success and Jamie Gunn, Superintendent of Business
ARC MEETING No. 6 - Doverwood Public School
Agenda for January 24, 2012
Minutes for January 24, 2012
Presentation:
Exploration of Options Presented to the ARC - Presented by Jamie Gunn, Superintendent of Business Services, Andy Nesbitt, Superintendent of Education and Lynn Abbey, Program Coordinator - Secondary/Student Success
ARC MEETING No. 5 - Simcoe Composite School
Agenda for December 1, 2011
Minutes for December 1, 2011
ARC MEETING No. 4 - Port Dover Composite School
Agenda for November 15, 2011
Minutes for November 15, 2011
Minutes for November 17, 2011
Delegations for November 15 and 17
Delegation Package A includes the following individuals: Murray Barber, Kate VanBradt, Walt Long, Eleanor Ryerse Chithalen, Sheila Parker-Westover, Gale McRae on behalf of J. Abbott, Rosemary Taylor, Marg Ryerse, Marg Jessop, Jayne Kitchen, Pat Young, Chris and Adam Vallis, Jonnelle Legault, Susan Heron on behalf of A. Duthie, Lisa Haldane, Tom Sartor, Teresa Rothwell, Celina Morris, Samantha Schuyler, Devon Bravener, Steve Talos, Darby Blake, Shirley Douglas, Stan Morris, Ion Morris, Stacey Vannatter, Ken and Georgia Painter, Jim Murphy, and Coby Awde.
Delegation Package B includes the following individuals: Shirley Douglas, Barb Galuppi, Michelle Hom, Hazen Cronk, Dave Kovacs, Bonnie Bravener, Scott Bravener and Steve Talos.
Delegation Package C includes the following individuals: Fraser Pringle, Chantelle Bomberry, Darryl Swarts, Andrew Schneider, Elizabeth Schuyler, Gail Simmons, Laura Snow, Clark Hoskins, Gordon Leaker, Andrea Simpson, Doug Long, Derek Ritschel, Ozzie Stahl, Shelby Balcomb and Bob Pomeroy.
Delegation Package D includes the following individuals: Dave Hawkes, Cason Bravener, Paul Boulanger, Beverly Cowan, and Sheena Marini.
Letters to the Committee includes the following individuals: Mike Marini, Janice Allard, Stacey Vannatter and Becky Pow.
ARC MEETING No. 3 - Valley Heights Secondary School
Agenda for October 13, 2011
Notes for October 13, 2011
Presentations:
ARC Overview to Data - Presentation by John Forbeck, Director of Education
Presentation of Data - Presentation by Jamie Gunn, Superintendent of Business
Completed School Valuation Templates:
ARC MEETING No. 2 - Delhi District Secondary School
Agenda for June 23, 2011
Notes for June 23, 2011
Handouts to ARC Members:
School Profiles (Valuation Templates):
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School Profiles (Valuation Templates) were shared with the ARC members and finalized.
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ARC members will present the School Profiles at the October 13, 2011 meeting.
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There are four School Profiles that will be filled out for each of the 5 secondary schools in the review. The intent of the School Profiles is to learn the the value of the school to the students, to the school system, to the community, and to the local economy.
ARC MEETING No. 1 - Waterford District High School
Agenda for May 31, 2011
Notes for May 31, 2011
Presentations:
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GUIDING RESOURCES
Grand Erie District School Board’s Pupil Accommodation Review Policy
Ministry of Education’s Pupil Accommodation Review Guidelines (revised 2009)
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CONTACT US
We want to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please email info@granderie.ca.