ARC draft report recommends Kenilworth PS remain open
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 30, 2014
GUELPH, Ontario – Kenilworth Public School should remain open, according to a draft report created by the Wellington North Elementary Accommodation Review Committee (ARC).
Members of the ARC presented their Draft Accommodation Report to parents and the community at a Public Information Session at Kenilworth PS on October 29.
The ARC will continue to accept feedback until November 9, and then present their final report to trustees at the Business Operations Committee on December 9, 2014. Board staff will present a separate final report with recommendations (the same or different than those of the ARC), at the Business Operations Committee on January 13, 2015.
Trustees will make a final decision at their regular meeting on February 24, 2015.
“To close Kenilworth Public school would be short sighted,” states the ARC’s draft report. “All three elementary schools in the Township of Wellington North are operating at or above capacity.”
Kenilworth PS is small rural school with a JK-6 program, and a current enrolment of 100 students. The ten-year projection indicates Kenilworth Public School will stay steady at 88% utilization.
The accommodation review began in April 2014, and also included Arthur PS and Victoria Cross PS in Mount Forest. The key issues were projected expenditures at Kenilworth PS of $650,000 for required maintenance upgrades, and $250,000 for Full Day Kindergarten renovations. The work has been on hold until the future of the school is determined.
“Maintaining Kenilworth Public School as an active school, for the foreseeable future, is the best option for the delivery of educational programming in the Township of Wellington North,” the draft report states, arguing that the small school environment is well suited to the needs of the rural community.
The $650,000 for needed capital renewal “is not extraordinary,” says the draft report. “It is comparable to what has been spent at small schools in other communities.”
The public information session on October 29 was the last of four public meetings where the ARC and board staff updated parents and the community on the progress of the review, and solicited feedback.
The public is welcome to attend and delegate at any regular or committee meeting of the board. Delegations must pre-register by Wednesday noon prior to the meeting.
The Draft Accommodation Report and all prior documents are available on the board’s website at www.ugdsb.ca/wnar. Until November 9 visitors to the site can also submit comments to the ARC through an online feedback form.
For more information:
Maggie McFadzen, Communications Officer
519-822-4420 ext.725
[email protected]
Mark Weidmark, Administrative Officer – Communications
519-822-4420 ext.544
[email protected]
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