Highlights of the February 2013 board meeting
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 27, 2013
Guelph, Ontario: the Regular Monthly Meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board was held Tuesday, February 26. Following are the highlights from the meeting.
Re-naming of Rockwood Centennial PS Library
The board approved the re-naming of the library at Rockwood Centennial Public School as the Ashlynne Rayner Memorial School Library. Ashlynne was a Senior Kindergarten student at the school in 2007 when she was killed in a bus accident. She was also a great reader, and her family has donated thousands of dollars for the purchase of books at both Rockwood and Eramosa public schools. The dedication ceremony will take place later this school year.
Settlers Creek Boundary Review in Orangeville
The board approved Boundary Report #1 for the new school to be built in Orangeville in the Settlers Creek area. The board’s capital plan identified the need for the new school as a result of overcrowding resulting from the implementation of Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) by September 2014. The school is scheduled to open in September 2014. Alternative scenarios for the boundary for the new school will be developed by a staff committee with Report #2 coming to trustees not later than the Business Operations Committee meeting on April 9. This report will describe the proposed scenarios with staff analysis and recommended implementation options. A Public Information Session will be held on April 11 from 7-9 p.m. at Montgomery Village Public School. At that meeting staff will present Report #2 and obtain additional feedback from the community. The final report will be presented to the Business Operations Committee in June, with a decision to be made by the board at its meeting on June 25. There are delegation opportunities and full details on the board’s website at www.ugdsb.ca/SCBR
Concept Design for New South Guelph Public School
The Concept Design for the new South Guelph school (Zaduk Place), including a preliminary budget of $7.544 million, was approved by the Board. Designed by Hossack @ Associates Architects the school will house 449 pupils in a JK to Grade 8 French Immersion program. The User Advisory Committee met in January to provide input on the design and the site plan. The school is scheduled to open in September 2014 and will be built by lump sum tender. Funding comes from the FDK and remaining New Pupil Place (NPP) grants.
Kenilworth Public School Accommodation Review
As a result of a Facility Condition Update presented to the board, and a previous decision that the school be maintained to a minimum standard, the board approved the scheduling of an Accommodation Review to consider the school’s future status. The low enrolment school has a backlog of work required (approximately $650,000) which does not include the construction of an FDK classroom. Planning Department staff will bring a schedule for the Accommodation Review back to the board. The Ministry of Education requires boards to be committed to the long term viability of a facility prior to significant renewal funding. The school community has been informed that an Accommodation Review process will take place and the local trustee will meet with the school council to report on the process and timelines.
Long Term Financing Approved
Over the last seven years, the Ontario Financing Authority (OFA) has provided a long term financing vehicle for the Ministry of Education’s Good Places to Learn, Primary Class Size and Prohibitive to Repair projects. This work continues, with the addition of funding for the wrap-up of NPP grants. The board approved a bylaw which allows it to enter into an OFA loan for $4.760 million. The interest rate is 3.799% over a 25 year term. The Ministry of Education forwards the funding for the loan repayment annually to the board.
New Rockwood Pubic School Concept Design
A new elementary school for 308 students to be built in Rockwood using a repeat design from the architectural firm of Allen & Sheriff was approved. The school will be similar to the new Settlers Creek school in Orangeville, and will be built at an estimated cost of $6.214 million. Since site approvals remain outstanding the site plan may require some changes. Staff is working with local authorities to get the necessary approvals for the school, which is within the funding approved by the Ministry of Education. The User Advisory Group met with the architect and staff to provide input into the design of the proposed two-story school. It will be built to provide for future expansion as required. Funding comes from FDK and remaining NPP grants.
Concerns Regarding PPM 155
The board will write a letter to the Minister of Education to express its concerns over PPM 155, which deals with Diagnostic Assessments of students by teachers.
Appointment to MacDonald Stewart Art Centre Board
As the owners of the building that houses the MacDonald Stewart Art Centre, the school board has the opportunity to name three people to the Centre’s Board of Directors. The school board’s Property Committee recommended that one of the three representatives be a current Guelph trustee. Board Chair Mark Bailey agreed to serve for the term ending November 30, 2014. The Property Committee will advertise the other two vacancies and make recommendations for appointment to the board.
The next regular monthly meeting of the Board is on Tuesday, March 28 at 7 p.m. in the Board Room at 500 Victoria Road North, Guelph. Everyone is welcome to attend.
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]
Categories: Media Releases