Long Term Accommodation Plan

Included in the LTAP are a number of tables and graphs that illustrate the changing demographics of York Region. Shifts in population cohorts, ethnic origin, immigration as well as the impact of residential intensification all contribute to the long term projected enrolment trends as outlined below.

Enrolment Trends

Elementary Panel

Despite the overall growth in the Region, over the last few years the Board has continued to experience a yearly decline in the Elementary panel, largely due to the high outgoing grade 8 class sizes and the lower number of JK students replacing them. There are multiple factors that contribute to this decline in the JK classes, one of which is the decline of school age children. The table below illustrates the Board’s 10 year elementary projection.

Secondary Panel

In contrast to the Elementary panel, the Secondary panel is expected to see fluctuations of both moderate decline and growth over the next few years. As illustrated in the graph below, the Board has experienced slight enrolment decreases at the secondary panel over the past two years. The yearly variations in the number of incoming grade 9 students, as well as the amount of students from Open Access, contribute to the fluctuations seen in the Secondary panel.

1. Ensure viable school organizations and programs;
   1. Schools should be of sufficient size to offer a range of educational opportunities and resources.
   2. School locations will be sensitive to the geographical area they serve.
   3. In all situations involving pupil accommodation planning, attention will be given to improving program excellence, enhancing program opportunities, and efficiently and effectively using facilities.
2. Optimize the use of facilities;
   1. The preferred Models of school organization are JK-8 elementary, 1-8 French Immersion elementary (single or dual track), 7-12 or 9-12 secondary.
   2. The use of portable accommodation (both number and duration) will be minimized
   3. Regional program initiatives and locations will be designed and implemented so as to effectively use school facilities with due consideration of 2. ii,
   4. Port-a-paks will only be considered when supported by a funding source and pak criteria are met.
   5. In schools with excess capacity, classrooms not required for instructional purposes are considered for closure (mothballing).
   6. Closure, consolidation and conversion of use opportunities may be used to achieve LTAP Planning Principles
   7. Opportunities for partnerships, Child Care Centers and Community Hubs will be actively explored:
      1. Child Care Centers
         1. Encourage and provide support for B&A programs in accordance with Provincial legislation.
         2. Develop standards for size and configuration.
         3. Incorporate flexible space or kindergarten design to allow for shared use and storage.
         4. Actively market our schools as a community resource with the Region, Local Municipality and not for profit agencies.
         5. Enhance outreach to existing partners to investigate opportunities for expansion to community hubs.
         6. Explore partnership opportunities on both a small scale (limited number of rooms) and large scale (joint build or multi-use building) to establish community hubs.
         7. Partnerships must be at no cost/risk to the BoardCommunity Hubs.
            Examples Include:

            Internal Partners (YCDSB)

            1. Continuing Education
            2. Area Offices

            External Partners

            1. School Boards
            2. York Region Community Services
               1. Public Health
               2. Housing
            3. Welcome Centres
            4. AOK, Early Learning Centres, etc.

3. In all situations involving pupil accommodation planning, attention will be given to legislated requirements and provincial initiatives, such as those of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Daily Physical Activity, and Community Use, as may be instituted and identified from time to time.