The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) is currently taking an in-depth look at all its schools and facilities.
“The Long-Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP) is a strategic review of the school board’s facilities, population projections and enrolment forecasts,” states a Jan. 16 planning department memo.
“The LTAP is an important step in ensuring alignment of school facilities with the needs of the board and the communities it serves.”
The last LTAP was undertaken in 2008.
The background report states the plan’s primary focus is ensuring the board’s facilities are being used efficiently, while at the same time integrating student and program needs.
Although the board does create short- and long-term enrolment projections each year, the LTAP should help identify a board-wide focus.
“The goal of this LTAP process is to produce a list of priority areas for the board to concentrate on in the short- and long-term,” the LTAP background report states. “On a regular basis, the board will update the analysis to confirm that the list of priorities match the needs of the board.”
The background report also explains Ministry of Education top-up funding changes that will affect underutilized and small schools.
“This funding provides additional financial support to help with the operation and maintenance costs of underutilized schools,” the report says. “This funding will now only be available for underutilized rural schools.”
The background report continues, “the Ministry of Education also made reductions in funding of principals and vice principals of small schools, and reduced funding support for school boards facing declining enrolment.”
Within the school board 22 (34 per cent) elementary schools and three (28%) high schools have below an 80% utilization rate; 33 elementary schools (51%) and four (36%) high schools have between an 80 and 110% utilization rate; and 10 (15%) elementary and four (36%) high schools have a 110% or higher utilization rate.
In the 2017-18 school year there are approximately 2,600 empty spaces in elementary schools and 150 empty spaces in high schools.
However, in both cases the background report projects a shortfall of spaces throughout the board by 2027.
Enrolment projections for schools in Wellington County (below 80% is underutilized, 80% to 110% is well-utilized and above 110% is overutilized) include:
– Aberfoyle Public School has a 90% utilization rate in 2017, projected 96% rate in five years and 122% rate in 10 years.
– Alma Public School: 68% in 2017, 54% in five years, 54% in 10 years.
– Arthur Public School: 74% in 2017, 78% in five years, 80% in 10 years.
– Brisbane Public School: 90% in 2017, 95% in five years, 107% in 10 years.
– Centre Peel Public School: 80% in 2017, 76% in five years, 82% in 10 years.
– Centre Wellington District High School: 83% in 2017, 87% in five years, 97% in 10 years.
– Drayton Heights Public School: 99% in 2017, 117% in five years, 126% in 10 years.
– Elora Public School: 89% in 2017, 99% in five years, 121% in 10 years.
– Eramosa Public School: 72% in 2017, 49% in five years, 45% in 10 years.
– Erin District High School: 82% in 2017, 103% in five years, 108% in 10 years.
– Erin Public School: 65% in 2017, 53% in five years, 79% in 10 years.
– Harris Mill Public School: 93% in 2017, 94% in five years, 98% in 10 years.
– J. D. Hogarth: 104% in 2017, 104% in five years, 113% in 10 years.
– James McQueen Public School: 83% in 2017, 76% in five years, 78% in 10 years.
– John Black Public School: 108% in 2017, 116% in five years, 118% in 10 years.
– Kenilworth Public School: 63% in 2017, 58% in five years, 60% in 10 years.
– Maryborough Public School: 105% in 2017, 125% in five years, 130% in 10 years.
– Minto Clifford Public School: 87% in 2017, 95% in five years, 100% in 10 years.
– Norwell District Secondary School: 67% in 2017, 69% in five years, 74% in 10 years.
– Palmerston Public School: 97% in 2017, 111% in five years, 123% in 10 years.
– Ponsonby Public School: 95% in 2017, 107% in five years, 108% in 10 years.
– Rockwood Centennial Public School: 77% in 2017, 79% in five years, 92% in 10 years.
– Ross R. McKay Public School: 45% in 2017, 36% in five years, 83% in 10 years.
– Salem Public School: 100% in 2017, 207% in five years, 296% in 10 years.
– Victoria Cross Public School: 94% in 2017, 104% in five years, 116% in 10 years.
– Victoria Terrace Public School: 88% in 2017, 111% in five years, 126% in 10 years.
– Wellington Heights District Secondary School: 73% in 2017, 68% in five years, 73% in 10 years.
The UGDSB has scheduled three county information sessions from 7 to 9pm:
– Feb. 20 at Norwell DSS in Palmerston in the single gymnasium;
– Feb. 21 at Centre Wellington DHS in Fergus in the cafetorium; and
– Feb. 28 at Erin Public School in the gymnasium.
The meeting dates and times were set to be ratified at the Jan. 30 board meeting.
The report indicates that the school board plans to hold another round of public engagement sessions after the draft LTAP report is made available to staff.
The goal is to have the final LTAP report complete by June 2018.
