Report released in review of Wellington North elementary schools
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 9, 2014
GUELPH, Ontario – The second of three staff reports related to the Wellington North Elementary Accommodation Review has been released for information.
Staff Report #2 provides background information on the three schools being reviewed, Arthur PS, Kenilworth PS and Victoria Cross PS. It also provides development and population trends of the Wellington North area, current and projected enrolment, and draft School Information Profiles.
The staff report is the starting point for an Accommodation Review Committee comprised of school, municipal, community and Trustee representatives. At the conclusion of the review the committee must make a recommendation to the Board, which will make a final decision.
Provincial guidelines and board procedures require that the staff report must provide accommodation options for consideration by the committee. The two options presented in Report #2 are:
- Maintain the status quo.
- Close Kenilworth PS, and reassign JK-6 students to Arthur PS and Victoria Cross PS. There would be no change for Grade 7 and 8 students, who already attend the latter two schools.
The report recognizes that Kenilworth PS is not an “underutilized” school, but notes that the small capacity and enrolment makes it more costly to operate, maintain and renew on a per-pupil basis. The school opened in 1961 with six classrooms, but one of those rooms is now used as a library.
The report also considers the impact of school size on instruction, and outlines programming criteria. “Quality education is the principle goal of the Upper Grand District School Board,” states the report. “When planning accommodation for the future, programming implications are at the forefront of all decisions.”
Staff Report #2 will be presented to the Business Operations Committee on May 13, 2014. It will also be presented to the public at the first of four public meetings on May 15, 2014 at 7pm in the gym at Wellington Heights SS. An advance copy is available on the Board’s website:
www.ugdsb.ca/wnar
Hard copies of the report are also available to view at the three Wellington North elementary schools, the Township of Wellington North municipal office and at the Arthur and Mount Forest public libraries.
The accommodation review’s webpage also includes a form to submit comments, and an opportunity to subscribe to email alerts.
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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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