York Catholic District School BoardNo decision has been made regarding the closing of a school. Following a Ministry of Education directive and after careful review, Board staff have presented the preferred option as required. At this point, the only decision that has been made is to begin the process for the review community consultation. The final decision to be made by the Board of Trustees after a consultation period, one public meeting and an opportunity for delegations to the Board of Trustees. The consultation is intended to hear all comments, suggestions and any alternative options. The final decision will take place at the Board meeting after the Final Report with Public Delegations Addendum (Report 3), after which time, a Transition Plan will be developed.
FAQ Category: PAR Policy
How can I find out more information about the Board’s Pupil Accommodation Review process, policy and procedures?
For more information throughout the Pupil Accommodation Review process, visit this website. You can also follow the Board’s Accommodation Review Twitter account at @YcdsbOurSchools for updates, send an email via the Contact Us tab on the PAR section of the Board website or visit your child’s school website.
If I have concerns about the outcome of a Pupil Accommodation Review once it is completed, what can I do?
A community is able to request an Administrative Review from the Ministry of Education of the Pupil Accommodation Review process, however it is not a review of the Board decision but whether the Board complied with its Pupil Accommodation Review policy. There are three steps involved to request an Administrative Review:
- Submit a copy of the Board’s policy highlighting how the process did not comply
- Submit a petition signed by supporters equal to at least 30% of the affected school’s headcount (i.e. for 90 student enrolment = 27 signatures)
- Submit the petition along with a letter to the Minister of Education specifying how the Board did not follow its Pupil Accommodation Review policy.
Visit the Ministry of Education website for more detailed information on the Ministry’s Administrative Review process
Who makes the final decision in the Pupil Accommodation Review process?
The final decision regarding pupil accommodations rests with the Board of Trustees of the York Catholic District School Board. The Board makes a decision after a review of the Final Staff Report (Report 3) which contains feedback from the Pupil Accommodation Review Committee (if a “standard” process was used), community consultation, and public delegations.
Does a Pupil Accommodation Review mean my child’s school will close?
Not necessarily. The Board’s approval of the Initial Staff Report (Report 1) starts a community consultation process. During that process, parents/guardians and community members will have opportunities to provide input and feedback on the proposed accommodation option for the review area. Public feedback and input will be summarized and included in the Final Staff Report (Report 3) to the Board of Trustees for consideration and they will make the final a decision.
How is membership on the PARC determined?
As per the Board’s Pupil Accommodation Review – Policy #713, membership of the PARC will include:
- A Chair(s) (appointed by the Director of Education)
- At least one parent/guardian representative from each of the schools under review chosen by their community
- Other persons as appointed by the Director of Education (i.e. Board Senior Administration)
What is the role of the PARC?
The PARC acts as a channel for sharing information between the School Board and the affected school communities under review. The PARC holds a number of working meetings to discuss Board Administration’s Initial Report (Report 1), the proposed accommodation options and to provide input and consultation feedback.
How are schools in a particular area selected for a Pupil Accommodation Review?
Enrolment is monitored and reported to the Board on an annual basis. An area becomes a focus if there are schools that have an enrolment below 60 per cent of the Ministry of Education’s “on-the-ground” (OTG) capacity (the rated student capacity for a facility) and if the ten year enrolment projections indicate a decline with no anticipated future growth. The focus becomes narrowed to a group of two or more schools based on their enrolment projection or their potential to assist in finding an alternative accommodation solution. More detailed information such as enrolment projections for each area and school information profiles can be found on the Board website.
When would a modified Pupil Accommodation Review (MPAR) process be used?
An MPAR process could be selected for a particular review area if Board thinks the potential accommodation options are less complex. An MPAR may be approved and initiated by the Board where two (2) or more of the following factors are present:
- Distance to the nearest available accommodation is 5 kilometers or less;
- Utilization rate of the facility is equal or below 50%;
- Number of students enrolled at the school is 126 or fewer;
- When the Board is planning the relocation of a program (in any school year or over a number of school years), in which the enrolment constitutes more than or equal to fifty percent (50%) of the school’s enrolment (this calculation is based on the enrolment at the time of the relocation, or the first phase of a relocation carried over a number of schools years);
- There are no more than three (3) schools subject to the Pupil Accommodation Review process; or,
- The entire student population (and boundary) of a school that is subject to a Pupil Accommodation Review process can be accommodated in another school.
What does the Pupil Accommodation Review process entail?
The Pupil Accommodation Review process is outlined in the Board’s Pupil Accommodation Review of Schools policy (#713). The policy identifies two different review options: a “standard” Pupil Accommodation Review (PAR) and a modified Pupil Accommodation Review (MPAR). Both types of reviews focus on notification and public consultation on the Board’s pupil accommodation plans for a specific community. Both processes include a number of common requirements however there are a few key differences which are outlined in the chart below:
“Standard” Pupil Accommodation Review (PAR)
- The entire process must run for a minimum of five (5) months
- A minimum of two (2) public meetings are required
- The formation of a Pupil Accommodation Review Committee (PARC) is required
Modified Pupil Accommodation Review (MPAR)
- The entire process must run for a minimum of three (3) months
- Only one (1) public meeting is required
- Does not require a Pupil Accommodation Review Committee (PARC)