PUBLIC ATTENDANCE BOUNDARY REVIEW ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, ST. FIDELIS, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind, Philippians 2:2” Created, Draft First Tabling Review May 6, 2014 May 15, 2014 Joseph Ruscitti, Senior Manager, Planning Services John Volek, Senior Coordinator, Planning, Admissions and Accountability Gina Iuliano-Marrello, Superintendent of Education, Area 3 RECOMMENDATION REPORT Vision: At Toronto Catholic we transform the world through witness, faith, innovation and action. Mission: The Toronto Catholic District School Board is an inclusive learning community rooted in the love of Christ. We educate students to grow in grace and knowledge and to lead lives of faith, hope and charity. G. Poole Associate Director of Academic Affairs A. Sangiorgio Associate Director of Planning and Facilities S. Pessione Associate Director of Business Services, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Angela Gauthier Director of Education REPORT TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS, STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PROPERTY COMMITTEE Page 35 of 263
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ATTENDANCE BOUNDARY REVIEW ST. FRANCIS …...CORPORATE AFFAIRS, STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PROPERTY Page 35 of 263 Page 2 of 5 A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As a result of oversubscription pressures
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PUBLIC
ATTENDANCE BOUNDARY REVIEW
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, ST. FIDELIS,
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
“Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind, Philippians 2:2”
Created, Draft First Tabling Review
May 6, 2014 May 15, 2014
Joseph Ruscitti, Senior Manager, Planning Services
John Volek, Senior Coordinator, Planning, Admissions and Accountability
Gina Iuliano-Marrello, Superintendent of Education, Area 3
RECOMMENDATION REPORT
Vision:
At Toronto Catholic we transform the world
through witness, faith, innovation and action.
Mission:
The Toronto Catholic District School Board is an
inclusive learning community rooted in the love of
Christ. We educate students to grow in grace and
knowledge and to lead lives of faith, hope and
charity.
G. Poole
Associate Director of Academic Affairs
A. Sangiorgio
Associate Director of Planning and Facilities
S. Pessione
Associate Director of Business Services,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Angela Gauthier
Director of Education
REPORT TO
CORPORATE AFFAIRS, STRATEGIC
PLANNING AND PROPERTY
COMMITTEE
Page 35 of 263
Page 2 of 5
A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As a result of oversubscription pressures in the community served by St. Fidelis, St.
Francis Xavier and Immaculate Conception, these schools were identified and approved
as candidates for a fixed attendance boundary review in a report to Corporate Affairs,
Strategic Planning and Property Committee on October 18, 2012. Implementing a fixed
attendance boundary is an effective means of managing enrolment in a school in order to
optimize the use of available space in a facility, as well as to assist in balancing
enrolment at nearby schools. The Boundary Review Committee (BRC) has completed its
report and has submitted it to the Director of Education in accordance with the
Elementary School Attendance Boundary Policy (S.A. 03).
In response to the BRC’s report, this report recommends that the fixed attendance
boundary for each school, as detailed in Scenario #2 (Appendix ‘A’), be considered for
approval at the Corporate Affairs, Strategic Planning and Property Committee meeting on
May 15, 2014. This is the same scenario supported by the BRC.
This report further recommends that opportunity for public input with respect to the
recommendations contained herein, as well as the BRC’s report, be provided at the
regularly scheduled meeting of the Board on May 22, 2014.
B. PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to review the BRC’s report and to recommend a boundary
option that will address the enrolment pressures and balance the enrolment between the
three facilities, St. Francis Xavier, St. Fidelis and Immaculate Conception, serving this
community.
C. BACKGROUND
1. The Elementary Attendance Boundary Policy (S.A. 03) (Appendix ‘B’) was approved
by the Board on October 18, 2012. The Policy states as follows:
“Policy
The Director of Education may prepare a report for consideration by the Board
identifying a school, or group of schools, facing programming challenges and/or facility
limitations due to enrolment oversubscription or under subscription, and in respect of
which there may be a need to consider and review the possible implementation of
boundaries in respect of one or more of the identified schools.
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Page 3 of 5
Regulations
1. An attendance boundary review shall be initiated by the community, the Director
of Education or Board staff through a submission of a formal request to the Board
of Trustees compliant with Board procedures, or through a recommendation by
Board staff.”
2. Initiation of an attendance boundary review at St. Francis Xavier, St. Fidelis and
Immaculate Conception was approved by the Board on October 18, 2012. The review
process, undertaken in accordance with the Elementary Attendance Boundary Policy
(S.A. 03), spanned approximately four months, with public meetings held on
February 4, 2014 and March 18, 2014. Notes from the public meetings are included
in Appendix ‘C’. The BRC completed its report and submitted it to the Director of
Education on April 22, 2014 (Appendix ‘D’).
3. All information discussed as part of the boundary review process, as well as material
provided to the Committee for consideration, and the notes from public meetings
were made available on the Board’s website. The BRC’s report was also posted on
the website.
4. Planning staff presented several boundary options for consideration as part of their
presentation to the BRC members. After several meetings and discussion amongst
the members of the BRC, the options were narrowed to three scenarios for
presentation and consideration at the public meetings. These options were the “Status
Quo” (existing FDK catchment areas as the fixed boundaries), Scenario #1 and
Scenario #2.
5. Based on a Ministry rated capacity of 369 students, St. Fidelis is currently
oversubscribed with an enrolment of 599 students (as of October 31, 2013). There
are currently 6 portables on site to accommodate the overflow. A business case has
been submitted to the Ministry to approve an addition or replacement facility for the
St. Fidelis community.
6. Based on a Ministry rated capacity of 524 students, St. Francis Xavier is also
operating at capacity with an enrolment of 515 students (as of October 31, 2013).
There are currently 2 portables on site to accommodate programming overflow.
7. Based on a Ministry rated capacity of 543 students, Immaculate Conception is
operating slightly below capacity with an enrolment of 440 students (as of October
31, 2013).
D. EVIDENCE/RESEARCH/ANALYSIS
8. In order to assist the BRC with its discussion on boundary solutions, Planning staff
submitted several boundary options for consideration as part of the review process.
As indicated earlier in this report, these options were considered by the BRC
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members and narrowed to 3 scenarios for presentation at the public meetings.
Scenario #2 is a hybrid of several scenarios and is considered by Planning staff and
members of the BRC to provide the most balanced enrolment and the best overall
solution for all communities. This scenario is premised on a capital solution at St.
Fidelis.
9. After careful consideration of all comments and input received from members of the
BRC, individuals from the school communities, and the local parish during the public
consultation process, it is the conclusion of Planning staff that the most effective
boundary option is Scenario #2 (Appendix ‘A’).
10. Appendix ‘E’ shows the impact on projected enrolment at each school resulting from
the implementation of fixed attendance boundaries as they are detailed in Scenario
#2. In summary, Immaculate Conception will experience a projected increase of
approximately 147 students by 2027. Based on an OTG capacity of 529, this
represents a utilization of approximately 111%. St. Fidelis will experience a projected
increase of approximately 62 students by 2027. Based on an OTG capacity of 369,
this represents a utilization of approximately 179%, however, with an anticipated
capital improvement to the school the estimated OTG capacity would increase to 658
and decrease the utilization to approximately 100%. St. Francis Xavier will
experience a projected increase of approximately 92 students by 2027. Based on an
OTG capacity of 524, this represents a utilization of approximately 116%.
11. The BRC was informed by staff that all students currently attending these schools
will have the option to remain at their existing location. Students who presently have
siblings at these schools who are expected to be in the school for the next school year
shall also gain admission.
12. In accordance with the Elementary Attendance Boundary Policy (S.A. 03), the
following sequence of Committee/Board meetings will be required prior to final
approval of recommendations.
May 15, 2014 – Corporate Affairs, Strategic Planning and Property Committee
Director’s Report is considered.
Defer any final decisions on boundary recommendations.
May 22, 2014 – Regular Board
Provide opportunity for public input (delegations and written submissions)
regarding the Director’s Report and the BRC Report.
Defer any final decisions on boundary recommendations.
June 5, 2014 – Corporate Affairs, Strategic Planning and Property Committee
Further report from Director of Education is considered, which takes into
account the results of public input provided at the previous Board meeting.
Board to make final decision on recommendations.
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E. STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1. That an opportunity for public input regarding the recommendations contained in this
report as well as the Boundary Review Committee’s report, be provided at the regularly
scheduled Board meeting of May 22, 2014.
2. That the fixed attendance boundary identified as Scenario #2 in Appendix ‘A’ of this
report, be considered for approval at the regularly scheduled Corporate Affairs, Strategic
Planning and Property Committee meeting of June 5, 2014.
The Director of Education may prepare a report for consideration by the Board identifying a school, or group of schools, facing programming challenges and/or facility limitations due to enrolment oversubscription or under subscription, and in respect of which there may be a need to consider and review the possible implementation of boundaries in respect of one or more of the identified schools.
Regulations
1. An attendance boundary review shall be initiated by the community, the Director ofEducation or Board staff through a submission of a formal request to the Board ofTrustees compliant with Board procedures, or through a recommendation by Board staff.
2. The Director of Education shall set a limit on the total number of attendance boundaryreviews conducted per year, dependent upon availability of appropriate staff resources,and reserves the right to prioritize the requests for reviews.
3. The Board reserves the right to aggregate individual requests for boundary reviewsdepending on the geographic location of the schools being considered for review.
4. Fixed attendance boundaries must employ an open, public consultative process similar tothe process used in School Accommodation Review, whereby a Boundary ReviewCommittee (BRC) consisting of parents/guardians, educators and Board officials isestablished.
For the school(s) which is(are) the subject of an attendance boundary review, and for anyof the neighbouring schools included in the boundary review with the potential of being
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POLICY SECTION: STUDENT
SUB-SECTION: ADMISSIONS AND PLACEMENT
POLICY NAME: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BOUNDARY POLICY
POLICY NO: S.A. 03
Page 2 of 6
impacted and which may have a previously approved fixed attendance boundary, membership on the BRC shall include:
• Trustee;
• School Superintendent;
• Principal or designate;
• One parent representative;
• CSAC Chair or designate;
• One student representative;
• Pastor; and
• Community representative.
5. The BRC will be deemed to be properly constituted provided that a majority of membersare present. Quorum shall be established if a majority of the members of the Committeeare present.
6. The Director shall appoint a Principal who does not represent the area under study asChair of the BRC.
7. The School Superintendent shall identify the members of the BRC and formally inviteeach of them to participate on the BRC. The School Superintendent(s), or delegate(s),shall function as secretary of the BRC as well as in a resource capacity.
8. The BRC shall seek input on boundary configuration options, and shall hold publicengagement consisting of a minimum of two and a maximum of four public meetings.These meetings shall be open to the public, and advance notice shall be provided by theBRC consistent with the Community Engagement Policy.
a. The BRC shall ensure that a wide range of school and community groups areconsulted, such as school councils, parents/guardians, school staff/administration,students, and the local community.
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POLICY SECTION: STUDENT
SUB-SECTION: ADMISSIONS AND PLACEMENT
POLICY NAME: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BOUNDARY POLICY
POLICY NO: S.A. 03
Page 3 of 6
b. After the Board has approved and announced a boundary review, a minimum of30 days must be allowed prior to the first public meeting.
c. The public consultation period shall be a minimum of 30 days, beginning with thefirst public meeting.
d. Extended school holidays such as spring and summer break, Easter, Thanksgivingand Christmas, shall not be considered part of the minimum 30 day publicconsultation period.
9. Administrative staff shall be made available throughout the consultation process toprovide the necessary expertise and resources. This shall include staff from the Planningand Facilities Superintendency, as well as representation from the Toronto StudentTransportation Group.
10. The BRC shall ensure that all information relevant to the attendance boundary review ismade public and available in advance of public meetings, both electronically and in printform. This information will also be posted to the Board website and other appropriatevenues such as libraries, parishes, etc.
11. The BRC shall be provided with all relevant data in the possession of the Board in orderto carry out its mandate, including the following:
a. Maps of the area;b. Current enrolment data and demographic projections by program;c. Maps and information on transportation;d. School profile data, including capacities for each school under study.
12. The BRC shall ensure that all information that is technical in nature be provided andexplained in plain language.
13. The BRC shall keep detailed notes or minutes reflecting the full range of boundaryoptions expressed at public meeting(s) and shall make these minutes available to thepublic.
14. The BRC shall ensure that there is a process in place to respond to questions raised at themeeting(s) which could not be answered at the meeting(s).
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POLICY SECTION: STUDENT
SUB-SECTION: ADMISSIONS AND PLACEMENT
POLICY NAME: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BOUNDARY POLICY
POLICY NO: S.A. 03
Page 4 of 6
15. A full transportation modeling study shall be undertaken by the Board to determine theimpacts of a fixed attendance boundary on schools and students, and to determineassociated costs to the Board. The results of the study will be provided to the BRC.
16. Board staff shall prepare boundary configuration option(s) for consideration by the BRC.These will be provided to members of the BRC prior to the first public meeting.
17. The BRC shall prepare a report detailing their preferred attendance boundaryconfiguration option(s), along with recommendation(s), and submit the report to theDirector of Education for review. The completed report shall be made available to thepublic. The BRC report must take the following into consideration:
a. Fixed attendance boundaries must be designed to follow logical and easilyidentifiable routes and/or physical landforms where possible, such as major roads,rail-lines, watercourses, parklands, ravines, and established political boundaries.
b. Fixed attendance boundaries must be constructed in such a fashion that schoolsaffected by the imposition of a nearby fixed attendance boundary benefit to thefullest extent possible, both in terms of maximizing student enrolment andutilization of available classroom space.
c. Program offerings (e.g. French Immersion, Gifted, etc.) must be taken intoconsideration when developing boundaries, and as such, there could be more thanone boundary associated with any given school(s) under review.
18. After receiving the BRC’s report and boundary recommendations, the Director ofEducation shall prepare a report for consideration by the Board of Trustees in publicsession at a regularly scheduled meeting, regarding the BRC’s recommendations, as wellas staff comments and recommendations.
19. The Director of Education’s report shall be made publicly available and posted on theBoard’s website in advance of the Board of Trustees’ meeting at which it is to beconsidered.
20. Opportunity for public input regarding the BRC’s report and the Director of Education’sreport shall be provided at a subsequent meeting of the Board of Trustees, which willhear and receive delegations as well as consider written submissions.
"B-4"Page 46 of 263
POLICY SECTION: STUDENT
SUB-SECTION: ADMISSIONS AND PLACEMENT
POLICY NAME: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BOUNDARY POLICY
POLICY NO: S.A. 03
Page 5 of 6
21. The Director of Education shall prepare a further report for consideration by the Board ofTrustees in public session, regarding and responding to public input received andrepresentations made at the previous Board meeting.
22. The Board of Trustees shall make a decision with regard to the boundary of the school(s)included in the attendance boundary review at a regularly scheduled meeting and shallnotify the school community(ies) in writing of the Board’s decision, and shall have thedecision posted on the Board’s website.
23. The final approved boundary map shall be distributed to the local City Councillor, locallibrary, other community agencies, the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB), through theArchdiocese to the parishes, maintained on the Board website and the profile of theschool.
24. Any decision by the Board of Trustees to implement a fixed attendance boundary shall beplanned for and implemented no sooner than the following school year.
25. Subject to the Board’s Admissions Policy (S.A.01), a student must have primaryresidence within the established fixed attendance boundary to qualify for admission to theschool. All other students outside the fixed attendance boundary may apply to be placedon a wait list, and may be granted admission at the discretion of the Board where spacepermits.
26. If requests exceed available space, subject to TCDSB Admissions Policy (S.A. 01), wait-listed students will be admitted based on date of wait-list application, subject to thefollowing priorities:
Priority 1: Students whose primary residence is situated within the fixed attendanceboundary of the requested school.
Priority 2: Student attending licensed childcare, including licensed home childcare, within the fixed attendance boundary of the requested school.
Priority 3: Students receiving childcare within the fixed attendance boundary of the requested school.
Priority 4: Students resident in the City of Toronto.
Priority 5: Students resident outside the City of Toronto.
"B-5"Page 47 of 263
POLICY SECTION: STUDENT
SUB-SECTION: ADMISSIONS AND PLACEMENT
POLICY NAME: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE BOUNDARY POLICY
POLICY NO: S.A. 03
Page 6 of 6
Student transportation will be provided in accordance with the Board’s Transportation Policy.
27. Students who have siblings already in the requested school and expected to be in theschool for the next school year shall gain admission.
"B-6"Page 48 of 263
Boundary Review Meeting Minutes Madonna Auditorium
February 4, 2014 – 7:00pm
In Attendance: Committee Members in Attendance:
Gina Iuliano Marrello, Sal Piccininni, Barbara Leporati, David Palster , Stephen Dempsey, Adele , Carmela Ferri, Toni Ruscitto-Daddario, Micahel Caccamo, Pat Pacchiarotti, Rosa Tucci
Councillor DiGiorgio, Laura Albanese and their representatives
Chair: Erica Wilson, Principal Madonna SS
Regrets: Judy Onody, Pat Lanni
AGENDA ITEM Discussion Recommendations/Next Steps
PRAYER
- led by: Erica Power
“Year of Faith, Hope and Charity” Prayer
Opening Greetings
Erica Wilson
-Greetings and well wishes
- “World Cancer Day” – recognized
-Virtue of the Month – Love
-Introductions – Committee Representatives
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Outline of Agenda for the evening
Gina Iuliano Marrello -Welcome and greetings
-Overview of Steering Committee (BRC) -Overview of Process
Planning Department
David Palster
-Explanation of Boundary Review: -Grandfathering of children already registered in schools -Does not affect students already registered -explanation of current existing boundaries
Starting Point: -existing boundaries, and impact of keeping these boundaries from Kindergarten to Grade 8; -discussed projections for enrolment across 3 schools until 2027 -St. Fidelis is choice for capital improvement due to these numbers; on the books for some time -St. Francis Xavier will eventually increase to approx. 146% capacity
First Proposed Scenario: (Scenario 2) -Immaculate Conception remain unchanged -St. Fidelis pans out at about 100% -St. Francis Xavier balances out at about 115%
By increasing St. Fidelis boundary, this adjusts St. Francis Xavier’s enrolment and St. Fidelis enrolment to approx. 100%
Second Proposed Scenario: (Scenario 3) -this scenario was created by request from BRC -this scenario increases the enrolment at Immaculate Conception and St.
APPENDIX 'C'Page 50 of 263
Francis Xavier to over 100% each
Scenario 3A: -slight adjustment to some residents that are St. Xavier in Scenario 3 to include them into St. Fidelis catchment
-Overview of Scenarios -right-sizing school justifies capital improvement required at St. Fidelis
Boundary Review binder is now public and online: www.tcdsb.org/Board/PlanningandFacilities/BoundaryReview/Pages/default.aspx
Erica Power -Thanks David for his presentation
-Opens the floor to questions
Questions:
Parent at St. FX
Question: -Construction at St. Fidelis will be disruptive -where will the students go while the construction is going on? - students will need to leave the property -are the numbers of the displaced students included in the numbers of other schools in these scenarios?
Answer: -Yes, the plan is awaiting Ministry Approval to move forward. -explains the Business request process through the Ministry -St. Fidelis is number 4 on the list -Boundary Review is dependent on capital development -approvals and monies have already been approved for an expansion, so a
-too early in the process to determine where the students will go and what type of capital development will take place -this summer FDK retrofitting will still take place to fulfil Ministry requirements -the enrolment numbers are not vastly different in the scenarios as they currently exist at St. Fidelis -these numbers are satisfied because of portables; intention is to eliminate portables
Parent at St. Fidelis Question: St. Fidelis is already tight. How are we proposing a larger boundary if we don’t have a school for it, and there are a lot of “ifs” in building a new school? There is a problem with driving into the school and dropping of children.
Answer: -Some portables are meant also as a back-up plan in the event retrofitting is not complete -plan is also to leave portables for future enrolment, so facilities does not need to go in two portables at a time -this is a gradual increase in numbers -this is over time and not immediate impact
Parent at St. Fidelis Question: Problem right now at that St. Fidelis is that many students live outside of catchment area. This is part of the problem. Creating boundaries will help balance out numbers. This will enable schools to say to parents register at your school. Boundary Review is a good thing for this community. Schools are made up of parents, children, and teachers. Parents are going
APPENDIX 'C'Page 52 of 263
to the school with the most kids. That’s not what schools are about.
Parent at St. FX Question: There is zero enforcement currently in enrolment for students in these schools. I know of families that are not in the area who currently attend certain schools. I don’t think boundaries are helpful because these are not being enforced.
Answer: -Process outlined for registering -explanation of FDK Boundaries, Transportation Boundaries, Grades 1-8 Boundaries, etc. -boundary enforcement is in place and schools are working hard at enforcing them
Parent at St. Fidelis Question: -Could the new school end up outside the current boundary of St. Fidelis?
Answer: -highly unlikely scenario
Parent at St. FX Question: I am concerned that many residents will not want their child living through a renovation, and will try to enrol in the closest school. This will leave St. FX with oversubscription and more portables. That is what is happening now with St. John the Evangelist and St. FX enrolment. I am concerned that St. FX will end up overloaded and then when everyone moves back to their newly built school St. FX will end up with nothing.
Answer:
APPENDIX 'C'Page 53 of 263
-Plans are made ahead to try to avoid these scenarios from happening. Parent at St. FX Question:
-If St. Fidelis is approved for a new school, what happens to the students at this site? I want to know what the plan is – there must have been discussion about this.
Answer: -We do meet and plan ahead. We review schools that are available for sale and leasing, but we need to wait for approval because even in two months these schools may change.
Parent at St. Fidelis Point of Clarification: -When a Boundary is reached through this process, my understanding is that the students at St. Fidelis, who wish not to be moved to another school during the construction, will not be able to transfer to any school they choose. These boundaries will now be enforced.
Answer: That is correct. They will not be able to move to one of the other schools.
Gina We are looking at all three communities equally, and not just St. Fidelis at this Boundary Review.
Parent at St. FX Question: Is there the possibility to consider placing grade 7 &8 students in another site from all three schools, and keep the elementary schools at K-6 only?
Answer -this fragments school communities -this is not the direction the Board is going -everything is a possibility though, and the question can be brought
APPENDIX 'C'Page 54 of 263
forward to the Board and discussed
Parent at St. Fidelis Question: How many schools on average are selected yearly for capital development?
Answer: -We give our eight, the Ministry reviews the business cases and the selection varies
Parent at St. Fidelis Question When will St. John the Evangelist be completed?
Answer: -We are in a phase that requires some land ownership -This will need to be addressed first
Parent at St. Fidelis Question How did you arrive at these projected numbers?
Answer: -Based on Catholic School supporters -very high catholic supporters in west-end of Toronto
Parent at St. FX Question I don’t think the St. Fidelis School community should worry about the Board rebuilding the school outside of the current area. They will do their best to ensure it remains in the area. They wouldn’t go through this process (Boundary Review) to just move the school out.
Parent at St. Fidelis Question: Why are we planning boundaries now when there is no school?
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Answer: We need to plan ahead because boundaries take time to right-size the school. 60 JK students equal 600 students in the end. We need time for the boundaries to take effect. We also need to project/plan for how many classes we will need.
Parent at St. FX Question: My neighbourhood has many older Italian families. The new families coming into the neighbourhood don’t yet have children. When they do, has the planning committee thought about this?
Answer: Yes. The numbers support these changes in community.
Laura Albanese Explains the situation at St. John the Evangelist and the process that led up to the new location, the building of the school, etc.
Parent at St. Fidelis Question: Once the Ministry makes a decision and approves a decision, have they and would they ever claw-back on a decision.
Answer -Have not seen this actually happen; probably not a good political move considering it is for Education -Anything is possible, but most likely what might happen is more additional proposals would not be accepted
Parent at St. Fidelis Question Once a decision is made, how long before the community would be notified?
Answer:
APPENDIX 'C'Page 56 of 263
The whole community would know by the next CSAC meeting. Parent at St. Fidelis Question:
Once the site is approved for a new school, how long before we know if the current site is considered? Will it be August?
Answer: The team will meet and then make a recommendation.
Gina Iuliano Marrello Encouraged to take back the information from the evening and to think about the information provided.
Frank DiGiorgio Only viable option if you are to increase the population of St. Fidelis is to build a new school on a new site. St. FX is a bigger site, but that is not the site being considered for this renewal.
Sal P. We are currently looking on a lot of different things we can’t discuss at this time. Staff is working on it. All levels of government involved –Laura, Frank, etc.Some of the plans are exciting, but not for sure at this point in time.
Parent at St. FX Question: Why don’t we build for 1000? Make a super school?
Answer: Super schools don’t work; -600 students is a good size; examples provided.
Parent at St. Fidelis Question: Overcapacity has always been a problem at St. Fidelis. This process and
APPENDIX 'C'Page 57 of 263
Boundary Review is a waste of time.
Answer: -Thank you, your comments have been noted.
Parent at St. FX Question: Gracefield and Amesbury Elementary schools are well under capacity and have the largest property in the neighbourhood. I would hope that these schools have been looked at as options. Are there conversations with other Boards, can we just ask?
Answer: We (Planning and Facilities, and Capital) are always looking and in constant contact with other Boards. -A Board must declare a school surplus to its needs in order to be available for lease or sale. -We can’t just ask; it doesn’t work that way -will include this suggestion in minutes.
Chair -Reposted boundaries and scenarios on screen -projected enrolment reposted -web address reposted
Laura Albanese Question: How are parents voting or making comments about this process?
Answer: -This is the forum and the opportunity -Parents can submit to CSAC or Principals and these will be forwarded to BRC for their minutes -the process of submitting recommendation from BRC is outlined
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Gina Iuliano Marrello and Erica Wilson
Thank committee members, panels (Planning & Facilities, Capital), parents, and audience for their participation and attendance.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:42pm
Next Meeting: TBA
Chaminade SS
APPENDIX 'C'Page 59 of 263
Boundary Review Meeting Minutes Chaminade Library
March 18, 2014 – 7:00pm
In Attendance: Committee Members in Attendance:
Gina Iuliano Marrello, Sal Piccininni, Barbara Leporati, David Paltser , Stephen Dempsey, Adele (Parent- St. Francis Xavier) , Parent (Immaculate Conception), Carmela Ferri, Toni Ruscitto-Daddario, Micahel Caccamo, Pat Pacchiarotti (Parent – St. Fidelis, Pat. Lanni (Parent – St. Fidelis), Rosa Tucci, Councillor DiGiorgio, Laura Albanese, Ivana (Parent -St. Francis Xavier)
Chair: Carmine Settino, Principal Chaminade SS
Regrets:
AGENDA ITEM Discussion Recommendations/Next Steps
Opening Greetings:
Carmine Settino
-Greetings and well wishes
-Introductions – BRC Committee Representatives
PRAYER
- led by Gina Iuliano Marrello
“A Prayer for Visioning”
Gina Iuliano Marrello -Welcome and greetings
-Overview of Steering Committee (BRC)
APPENDIX 'C'Page 60 of 263
-Overview of Process -Overview of reasoning behind boundary changes proposed
-Grandfathering of children already registered in schools -Does not affect students already registered -explanation of current existing boundaries
-reminds parents and community members present that the meeting is about the boundary review for all three schools, and encourages the discussion to remain focussed on this topic
-Outline of Agenda for the evening presented -distributes copies of proposed and FDK boundary
Distribution of Boundary Maps
Time given for participants to review and discuss freely among themselves and the members of the committee
Planning Department
David Paltser
-Explanation of Boundary Review: -explains that several models were initially considered - details the criteria and pupil yield used to develop plans and proposed boundaries for all three schools
-Displays “Status Quo” boundary maps and projected enrolment numbers -Discusses enrolment numbers and their significance over the years (until 2027)
Scenario 1 - Boundary Map discussed in details - Boundaries change slightly between St. Fidelis and St. Francis Xavier -Discusses enrolment numbers and their significance over the years (until 2027)
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Scenario 2 - Boundary Map discussed in detail - Boundaries change slightly between all three schools - Also, some boundary lines occur between property lots -Discusses enrolment numbers and their significance over the years (until 2027)
- All three boundary options are displayed (“Summary of Boundary Options”) -this diagram outlines enrolment for all three schools for each of the 3 Boundary Scenarios
-All resources are found on line, including historic pupil information
Boundary Review binder is now public and online: www.tcdsb.org/Board/PlanningandFacilities/BoundaryReview/Pages/default.aspx
Carmine Settino -Opens the floor to questions
Questions:
Parent at St. Fidelis
Question: Scenario 1 – in this Scenario you know which school you are going to Scenario 2 – in this Scenario, it is hard to know which school you should attend Why do you prefer Scenario 2 when it seems to be the most confusing?
Answer: -the property line divides the boundaries -Scenario 2 avoids half a street going to one school and half going to
another -the boundary is more obvious on larger map
Parent at St. Fidelis Question: I would like to see current population and dwelling numbers? Number of households in the area needs to be seen. The variance should be consistent with the numbers you have. This will be beneficial for parents to see.
Answer: -historic numbers are used -usually do not use households as a predictor of enrolment -households is not necessarily representative of the number of Catholics in the area -kindergarten students are the best indicator of enrolment and best predictor of Catholic households in a community
Parent (School?) Question: Point of Clarification: Current students are not affected? Siblings?
Answer: -Current students and siblings of students entering the school are not affected. -As long as one sibling is still in the school when the sibling enrols.
Sal Piccininni - One of the highest Catholic populations in Toronto
Committee Member Mr. Pacchiarotti
Question: When will the household numbers for the area be provided to the parent
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who asked the first question?
Answer: -Principal will be given that information and it can be passed on to the parent.
-We can have another meeting if needed as well.
Carmine Settino -Thanks the parents for attending -Thanks the Committee -Encourages Parents & Community members to speak to one of the Community members if they require further information
-Mr. Settino continues to speak to Chaminade SS news. -Speaks about Cell Phone Theft and provides some tips for parents. -the “Black List” is a website that records stolen cell phone numbers -Chaminade students were interviewed for a news documentary that will air on Thursday on Global News.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:00pm
Next Meeting: TBA
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APPENDIX ‘D’
Attendance Boundary Review (2013)
Immaculate Conception, St. Fidelis and St. Francis Xavier
Recommendations of the Boundary Review Committee
to the Board
April 16, 2014 Preamble
This document represents the group submission that was drafted by the Boundary Review
Committee whose members are listed below. We respectfully submit these recommendations to
the Attendance Boundary Review (2013‐2014) impacting the following schools: Immaculate
Conception, St. Fidelis, and St. Francis Xavier. The intent of the Boundary Review for the three
schools is to provide solutions for balanced enrolment at each of the schools. The changes will be
effective for the 2015‐2016 school year.
The Boundary Review Committee reviewed 6 scenarios (including the current boundaries) and
agreed to consider 3 possible Scenarios. These 3 Scenarios were considered the most viable and
were the ones presented at the public meetings for consideration.
The concerns raised by the Immaculate Conception community centred on the north boundary of
George Anderson Drive. A small number of parents on that street drive their children to
Immaculate Conception School and would like to continue to do so or would appreciate busing. A
mini‐bus does go along that route but only for extenuating circumstances/special permission.
Parents wondered if a student who is currently outside of a school boundary and ineligible for
transportation, will then become eligible after the boundary shifts to include the student’s
address. Board response: The student would become eligible if he resides more than 1.5 km from
the school or meets the Hazard Criteria in accordance to the Board’s Transportation Policy.
Parents appreciated knowing that their children would be able to continue to attend the school
where they are currently enrolled until Grade 8. In accordance with the admission policy, siblings
of students currently enrolled in the school will be given the same priority as those living within
the school boundaries. Parents requested that transportation services continue for those students
currently within the boundaries and receiving transportation, but who will be outside the school
boundary after the change. This will be brought to the board for recommendation. It was noted
that newly enrolled students would be subject to the current transportation policy.
The concerns generated from the St. Fidelis School community centred on the feasibility of
obtaining approval for a new school facility that could actually accommodate the projected
enrolment over the next 10 years within an expanded boundary. To alleviate the concern, central
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APPENDIX ‘D’
staff assured the community that there was a plan in place to accommodate the enrolment
projections for St. Fidelis. Approved boundary changes can also always be revisited if the need
arises. The community also felt it important that neighbours residing on the same street should be
attending the same school in order to build strong community ties. As such, the recommendation
has been made to draw boundary lines on backyard property limits as opposed to the centre of
the street.
The concerns discussed by St. Francis Xavier community revolved around steadily growing
enrolment at the school. The school has a very small gym which restricts community gatherings
and assemblies. Projections indicate that enrolment will continue to escalate to well beyond the
capacity of the school. A boundary review could stabilize the growth to within reasonable
standards relieving the issue of lack of space. Currently, students on one side of some of the
major streets attend St. Francis Xavier and students on the other side of the street attend St.
Fidelis. The community of St. Francis Xavier suggested that students who reside on either side of
Queens Drive east of Culford attend St. Francis Xavier School.
The three impacted schools were able to arrive at a unanimous decision of endorsing Scenario 2
boundary review proposal outlined by the planning department. We arrived at this decision after
two public meetings as well as four meetings of BRC members only. The recommendation is based
on discussions at those meetings along with feedback and intake from the affected communities.
It was collectively decided that all three parties would submit one report containing the reasoning
for our endorsement.
The boundary review committee would like to thank the parents, staff and students who have
given their time to participate in this important process. The committee took many factors into
account when arriving at its decision including but not limited to projected numbers, community
impact, busing issues, childcare, and intake from the affected members of the community.
Boundary Review Committees Members
Immaculate Conception:
Carmela Ferri (Principal)
Antonella Ruscitto‐D’Addario (Vice Principal)
Jenypher Ashby (CSAC Chair)
Effie Monteleone (CSAC Treasurer)
St. Fidelis:
Michael Caccamo (Principal)
Rosa Tucci (Vice Principal)
Pat Lanni (CSAC Chair)
Pat Pacchiarotti (CSAC Vice Chair)
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APPENDIX ‘D’
St. Francis Xavier:
Judy Onody (Principal)
Steve Dempsey (Vice Principal)
Adele Nemi‐Bottos (CSAC Co‐Chair)
Maggie Furmanski (CSAC Co‐Chair)
Community & School Board:
Laura Albanese (Member of Provincial Parliament – York South Weston)
Frank DiGiorgio (Councillor – Ward 12 York South Weston)
Ivana Padovan (Representative from Councillor Frank Di Giorgio’s Office)
Darlene Ferreira (Representative from MPP Laura Albanese’s Office)
Rose Gagliardi (St. Fidelis Parish representative)
Sal Piccininni (Trustee Ward 3)
Gina Iuliano Marrello (Superintendent of Education, Area 3)
Barbara Leporati (Planning Services)
David Paltser (Planning Services)
Kevin Hodgkinson (Transportation)
Erica Wilson – Principal of Madonna and the Chair for the first Public Meeting
Carm Settino – Principal of Chaminade and the Chair for the second Public Meeting
Recommendation
After considering the recommended boundaries for the three schools put forward by the Planning
Services Department, as well as input from discussions during the two public meetings, the
Boundary Review Committee has decided to endorse Scenario 2, as prepared by the Planning
Services Department. The committee believes that this proposal will accomplish the goal of
maintaining acceptable enrolment at each of the schools and ensuring that communities are
strengthened by having students on either side of the street (except for major streets) attend the
same school.
Conclusion
Based on the information provided during the consultation meetings and the feedback received
from stakeholders in the communities of Immaculate Conception, St. Fidelis, and St. Francis Xavier,
the Boundary Review Committee unanimously supports Scenario 2 boundaries recommendation
proposed by the Planning Services Department. The Boundary Review Committee respectfully
submits this recommendation for consideration in the boundary review process.