K-8 and School Capacity

1. K-8 and School Capacity Presentation to the Board of Trustees May 8th, 2008

2. Introduction • Throughout the process of grade configuration, we have let the board know that there are several options. What is presented tonight is a compilation of material that the board has reviewed throughout the process before making a decision on grade configuration, and new material that reflects what we have heard from the public and the Board.

3. What we’ve heard… • “Gutting of schools” • Elimination of all elective offerings • Shops, art rooms, home ec rooms dismantled

4. What we’ve said • The board has options; • There is no need to convert elective space; • We can maintain elective offerings and expand them to earlier grades if desired.

5. What we’ve heard part II • We’ll have “have” and “have not” schools;

6. What we’ve said • Parents will have a choice where to send their students, to their neighbourhood schools with electives and no kitchen or shop or… • To a school with a kitchen and a shop. • Approximately 20% of parents currently do not enroll their student in their neighbourhood school – some schools (not FI) are over 40% out of catchment. • We have a huge variety of programs in our schools now and it’s never been raised as a concern – in fact, more often than not, diversity has been celebrated: • E.g.

7. Understanding Capacity - Area Standards • Nominal capacity represents the student capacity of a school based on the following capacities per instructional space: • Kindergarten 40 half-time pupils per classroom • Elementary 25 pupils per classroom • Middle & Secondary 25 pupils per classroom and vocational module. • The nominal capacity for each new and existing school shall be based on the space standards for elementary, middle and secondary schools. The nominal capacity will form a base line capacity which will remain fixed, subject only to changes being made in physical space that would effect the nominal capacity and adjustments in the space standards. Examples include additions and/or renovations.

8. Understanding Capacity • Elementary • In elementary schools, the only spaces that are loaded are classrooms. • Regular classrooms are loaded at 25 and kindergarten classrooms at 40. • All other elementary spaces are not loaded, such as: gyms, multi-purpose room, special ed spaces, office and admin spaces, health room, library, computer centre, general space, design space and mechanical space. • Middle and Secondary • In middle and secondary schools the core classrooms and the electives are loaded. Industrial Education and Home Economics are loaded at 1/2 capacity. Capacity does not include any other spaces in capacity similar to those identified in elementary designations.

9. March memo to Board Industrial Education and Home Economics are counted at ½ capacity. That is why there is 17 spaces, but the capacity is 16 spaces x 25 students = 400 Note: Special education spaces, gyms, offices, teacher prep areas, multipurpose rooms, libraries, medical rooms etc. are not included in a school’s capacity.

10. Options shared Conversion choices • 1. Conversion of program space to kindergarten space in K-7, use IE and HE as your converted space for kindergarten or • 2. Conversion of program space to kindergarten space in K-8, maintain IE and HE as your elective space for kindergarten and Convert three classrooms to two kindergarten spaces • Kindergarten choices Capacity Impact Cost/modification • K-7 capacity increase 55 convert IE and HE electives $50,000 • K-8 capacity increase 5 convert classrooms, maintain all electives $50,000 • Why would there be an increase in capacity if we convert classrooms? • Standard classrooms are loaded at 25. Converting a classroom to a kindergarten loads at 40 (morning and afternoon K at 20 each); • So capacity goes up with the conversion of a classroom to a kindergarten.

12. Then how would it work?? • Students begin their day in their homerooms; • Students go to class as they currently do with the 6’s – 8’s following the middle school model of a school within a school.

13. Homerooms and Timetables

14. And the day begins…

15. Giving kids electives

16. Example Elective Terms

17. Where we are… • As stated, there is no need to convert elective spaces; • Elective teachers are already asking for more elective teachers so that we can expand our elective offerings to earlier grades; • There is no need to impact special education space. • The K-8 program committee will define what our schools look like with programs in place.

18. Implementation Plan and Decision Making – School Closures April 24th, 2007 Potential Closures Identified May 17th, Public Meeting Terms of Reference for school-based meetings And sharing of common information. K-8 Program and Implementation Committee in Process May 30th and 31st Review information Generate issues and questions June 15th K-8 Program and Implementation Committee Report Due June 19th, 20th School-based meetings Review Issues, generate solutions, questions Also school based decision on more meetings if needed

19. Sept. 29th Public Meeting – Board present for Schools Report Out on Terms of Reference and issues to be addressed Oct. 15th – School Reports Due Oct. 31st – Superintendent’s Report Due November 13th – Committee of the Whole – Discussion on Reports November 27th – Board Decision on Permanent School Closures If any closures, develop closure committees for implementation of decision.