Framework for Keeping McBride Annex

OPEN

Presented by Dr. Jennifer Kong

Preamble

• VSB has an unenviable position and we recognize that.

• We may be small in number at these meetings, but that does not mean that we do not have the support of our community.– We were informed that big media events or rallies do

not play a part in your rational decision making.• We welcome and encourage dialogue before,

during, and after the “decision.”– Nothing gained by hurling insults at each other.

• We do not use words like “parsimonious.”– Was that a complement or an insult?

Let’s make a deal

• We will present our argument in a rational, respectful manner.

IF

• The VSB listens to our constructive feedback, in an unbiased and objective manner AND seriously takes into consideration what we are proposing.

Overview of our presentations tonight

Say “NO” to closingMcBride Annex

because

Can’t be “reasonably Accomodated in

McBride main

Costs do not outweigh Benefits from the VSB’s perspective

An abandoned schoolHas an impact on a

Community

Proposals for spaceSharing and

Innovative programs

We love McBride Annex Let us show you why

Number of McBride Annex (M.A) and McBride Main (MM) students

• McBride Main (MM) has 42 extra spaces• McBride Annex has 63 students• MM can not house all 63 students • UNLESS…..

42-63-21

“If a limit is placed on accepting cross boundary students and with graduation of Gr 7cross boundary students, additional space should be available by September 2011”

• P. 83 of the District report

• NOTE: no other school on the closure list is asking to limit cross-boundary students

What does that mean?• Gr 7 graduating will outnumber new students admitted• Do these numbers work? • ONLY if there is no new community growth

– The Century Phase 1 will have 97 units moving in by Sep 2011 with more than170 units to come in the next 5 years.

• “70% of the units have more than one bedroom” (p.60 of District Report)– “Based on student yield ratios”

• Reference points are non-comparable – 4/5 new developments cited are in the Commercial/Broadway area

– Rezoning for laneway housing • ONLY if there is no new wave of enrollment

– Status of Jr Kindergarten?

• The word “cross-boundary” is thrown around a lot.

WOULD A CURRENT STUDENT (IN MA OR MM) WHO IS CROSS BOUNDARY HAVE TO LEAVE?

If all current MM & MA students are grandfathered in, why would the students want to redistribute?

P84 of the district report

“Grandfatheredin”

“limit is placed on accepting cross boundary students”

From arthritis.org

From sheknows.com

VS.

THE NEW “CROSS BOUNDARY STUDENTS” ARETHE YOUNGER SIBLINGS OF THE “GRAND-FATHERED” MA AND MM STUDENTS!

Parents have a “choice”

• Choose to have older child stay with friends in MM when MA closes BUT have younger sibling go to their “local” school

OR• Have older child leave the friends and

relationships in MA/MM and start anew with younger sibling in local school

• “SCHOOL CAN’T ASK THEM TO LEAVE (but we hope that you “choose” to leave so that we have room in MM!)”

Has the VSB ever asked the parents of McBride cross

boundary students, “What is it about McBride Annex & Main that is so attractive that

you wish to go that extra distance?”

Ie- what is it about McBride that makes it so attractive and integral

to your child’s success?

Where do we all fit?

• In Sep 2011, if there are too many students for the number of classrooms in MM, the VSB will have to look at “alternative arrangements”

Oct 7 2010, Ministry of Education buys 133Modular classrooms from Shelter IndustriesFor $214 285.71 each ($28.5 million total)

From affordablehousing.ca

PORTABLECLASSROOM

MODULARCLASSROOM

OR

Portable vs Modular

PORTABLE• VSB can use (move) an

existing portable – VSB budget

• IF no portable is available, then they can apply to Ministry for a new MODULAR

MODULAR classroom• Ministry will pay for new

modular IF there is an increase in enrollment

• TRANSFER OF MA STUDENTS DOES NOT COUNT AS INCREASED ENROLLMENT

• Since they are students already schooled in an existing facility

• VSB would have to BUY a modular out of their budget

•All info quoted from a representative of Capital Planning in the Ministry of EducationOn Nov 5, 2010

$214 285.71For new modular

(not incl. Operation costs)

$171 462For keeping

McBride Annex OPEN

Summary

• If MA closes, we can’t fit into MM– Report does not take into consideration:

• Imminent community growth• Enrolment of Jr Kindergarten

– Indirect coercion of cross boundary parents – If they plan to use portables (purchased

and/or moved with VSB money) instead of keeping MA open

A proposed solution• Keep McBride Annex Open for the next 3 years (until

2014/2015)• Prove growth in community & enrollment

– Over 200 units in the Century will be completed and moved in

– Laneway housing will be increasing– Gov’t may make decision on Jr Kindergarten

• VSB has time to consider our proposals for sharing space and/or innovative programs

• Fair and compassionate communication with cross-boundary families about changes that will occur within a reasonable time frame

• VSB can implement strategies to increase enrollment district-wide

• A new government may increase funding to VSB

SHARE, CARE, PLAY FAIR

SHARE:  Staff and students will be helpful and respectful to each other.

CARE:  Staff and students will be concerned for each other's well-being.

PLAY FAIR:  Staff and students will cooperate in maintaining an orderly environment.

Now replace “staff and students” with “School Board Trustees & the community of

McBride Annex”