Synopsis of AR Recommendations

Derby Public School(home of the Derby Dolphins)

What is being presented tonight:Timeline of recommendation process and

final reportSummary of past ideas that have been

previously presentedOverview of main recommendationWhy this option?Financial justification associated with main

recommendationOther points of considerationBrief synopsis of other recommendation

Time Line:Presentation of final recommendations to the

public, which is tonight in the final public ARC meeting

A final report will be submitted to Administrative Council on May 26th, 2013 according to Policy BP 3101-D

Recommendations will be presented to trustees June 4th, 2013

Following the sixty day waiting period, final vote by trustees will occur October 22nd, 2013

Summary of Past Ideas1) Sale of School with Leaseback

Although a innovative idea, there is no precedent of this in Ontario for us to follow suit

2) Status-Quo with Staggered Capital ExpendituresThe Ministry of Education may not be willing to

supply large funds for capital expenditures in a school with an enrolment under 250

The Foundation of Our Main Recommendation:

The most important principle of this process is to maintain ties within our community

It is critical that all of our Derby students stay together in one location

Main Recommendation: Status-Quo (5-Year Plan with Rural

School Consolidation)It is recommended that the Board of Trustees

approve the following recommendation (out of the original five that were previously presented):Keep Derby Public School open for the next

five years When the 5 year term expires, undergo an

accommodation review (AR) with a nearby school also prohibitive to repair (PTR) and perform a future AR with a vision of building a new, consolidated rural school that is in a central location beneficial to both communities

Preserve community, parental involvement

Existing Enrolment Projections:(based on Board data)

Enrolment ProjectionsYear 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Derby 211.5 231 212 204 189 182 179 180Local PTR School 149 142 143 144 145 148 150 155Total 360.5 373 355 348 334 330 329 335CapacityYear 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Derby 273 285 285 285 285 285 285 285Local PTR School 227 233 233 233 233 233 233 233Total 500 518 518 518 518 518 518 518

Surplus Spaces 139.5 145 163 170 184 188 189 183

Proposed Enrolment Projections: (based on Board data)

Enrolment ProjectionsYear 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Derby 211.5 231 212 204 189 182 0 0Local PTR School 149 142 143 144 145 148 0 0Consolidated School - - - - - - 329 335Total 360.5 373 355 348 334 330 329 335

Financial Justification of Status-Quo with Future Consolidation:

Derby generates a capital renewal grant of $27,000 annually

There are two points to this:If this money is not spent at Derby over the next five years,

these funds can be distributed to schools not PTR in the board.

In the 2004 AR, trustees voted on and approved a capital expenditure to fix the gym; this did not happen. Derby students thus will reap the benefits of a new facility.

Over the past four years, Derby has managed an average annual surplus of $327.75 in terms of capital renewal 1, 3

No immediate capital expenditure would be required; expenditure in the future will have long-term gain

Financial Justification (Cont’d):Keeping Derby open for the next five years and

problem solving collaboratively with the Derby community will avoid a potential loss of $430,000+ in student-based revenue ANNUALLY to the separate board, private schools or home schooling

Reduces excess pupil places and getting rid of renewal back log3

Student projections from Municipality of Georgian Bluffs5 and the 2004 Derby AR Report6 both contradict current values shown in Board projections

Board will earn revenue from sale of two properties

Other Points of Consideration: Fairness and Productivity

Simultaneous examination two schools on PTR list rather than dealing with one issue at a time is more fair, and a better use of time and resources

Postponing the AR process until a time when Derby can be examined on a level playing field is best for all parties involved (students, staff, parents, community, the board)

The ideal enrolment of 350 in one school would be met (preserving rural communities and eliminating <80% student capacity issue in both schools)

Two schools will be removed from PTR list

Points of Consideration (Cont’d): SafetyDerby has been deemed safe and will

continue to be safe over the next five years without capital expenditure2

Radon is contained and is not a threat to students and staff

If the school were deemed unsafe, the students and staff would not have been allowed to remain in the building

Points of Consideration (Cont’d): Valuation Framework

The most valuable attributes of Derby are priceless and unfortunately cannot be quantified to reveal their worth

The decision regarding the fate of the Derby community cannot lie solely upon the theme of finance

There are an overwhelming number of positive attributes that pertain to the value of the school:To the student (first and foremost)To the communityTo the local economyTo the board

The valuation framework is supplemented by submissions to the ARC and presentations during ARC meetings; it will be included in detail in the final report

Points of Consideration (Cont’d): Better Future Processes

Administrative Council may be wary of committing to future capital expenditures; however, ministry priorities and funding will likely change as a result of recent changes in government

Our Premier has already written a report concerning flaws in AR processes and that changes must be made

It is inevitable that future ARs will have more positive outcomes for our rurally placed schools7 instead of a “one-size fits all” model4

We must act now to halt the process or risk losing the integrity and heart of our rural board

Other recommendation:Fix required items at Derby and renovate

gymnasium with the partnership of the Municipality of Georgian BluffsSpace would be used by the school during normal

school hours, and rented out for functions in the off time

Owen Sound Minor soccer has approached Derby with interest in this model

This could provide the indoor space that the municipality is now forced to rent from Owen Sound in the form of user fees

A large number of grants are available for these spaces

In closing,“For rural kids, few things are more

important than being able to go to school in your own community with your own friends. Rural schools help keep communities strong, which is why we’re not only committed to keeping them open – but strengthening them”. (Dalton McGuinty, 2007)

References:1) Booth, B. (2013). Personal email correspondence with Marlissa Nyenhuis.

2) Derby Health and Safety Committee (2013). Summary of Health and Safety Issues.

3) Gibb, A. (Feb. 11th, 2013). Minutes from ARC Meeting. Retrieved April 29th, 2013 from http://www.bwdsb.on.ca/Business/schl_accom/Derby/Derby%20ARC%20Minutes.02.11.2013%20FINAL.pdf

4) Ontario House of Commons (June 3, 2008). Minutes from house proceedings . Retrieved April 29, 2013 from http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/house-proceedings/house_detail.do?Date=2008-06-03&Parl=39&Sess=1&locale=en#P678_186226

5) Stredwick, C. (January 25th, 2013). Presentation at Feb. 25th ARC Meeting. Retrieved May 1, 2013 from http://www.bwdsb.on.ca/Business/schl_accom/Derby/Presentations/Clinton%20Stredwick%20-%20Feb%2025%202013.pdf

6) Student Accommodation Review (2004). Enrolment – Indexed Projection. Page 13.

7) Wynne, K. (March, 2009). Planning and Possibilities: The Report of the Declining Enrolment Working Group.