May 2008
School Closures?
There has been much speculation around the issue of school closures and I would like to keep you informed regarding the realities of the situation.
I cannot foresee any school closures in Ward 15 in the near future. There will certainly be much interesting and innovative work done before we even consider that possibility.
The General Asset and Program Planning (GAPP) report passed by the board on April 16 does not necessarily lead to school closures. Unfortunately, the media has chosen to focus on and embellish that aspect. It is certainly true that enrolment is declining in the TDSB. Since the provincial formula that funds our schools is based on enrolment, we are currently facing the problem of “excess space” in some schools. I, however, feel that a lack of funding for community space does not make that space “excess”.
The ninth question on the GAPP report states: "How should TDSB’s capital plan address co-location of community services in schools?" It is my intention to focus on that question for the schools in our ward. I think of the "excess space" in our schools as public, community space that should be used by other publicly funded sectors to serve children, youth, and families. School space can be used for health and family services and other programs that will benefit children and youth. By re-defining this space as public space, we are able to fund it differently thus serving the community, preserving schools, and making service delivery efficient and effective.
If you would like to take a look at the report itself, you can find it
here.