Improved Board Policy for Rezoning and School Closures

Resolution Number: 

2010-04

Submitted By: 

PEI Home and School Federation
Resolution

WHEREAS a school board policy or regulation defines process; and

WHEREAS a process in the education system is enhanced if input from all education stakeholders, including parents is sought; and

WHEREAS rezoning is a tool used by school boards to balance student populations, reconfigure schools or introduce programming changes in order to refine or improve the education system; and

WHEREAS permanent school closure is a tool used by school boards to refine or improve the education system but should only be used as a final option after considering rezoning and/or programming changes; and

WHEREAS parents want to be involved in decisions that impact their children’s education;

BE IT RESOLVED that the PEIHSF request the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Eastern School District and Western School Board to work cooperatively to implement a consistent process for school rezoning and permanent school closures that seeks input from parents at the start of the process and recognizes the importance of having parents involved in making the decisions that impact their childrens’ education.

Amendments: 

Edit the title to “Consistent Board Policy for Rezoning and School Closures”.

Consideration

Status: 

Passed with Amendments
Saturday, April 17, 2010

Destination: 

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
English Language School Board
French Language School Board
Responses Received

Responses: 

Education and Early Childhood Development:  The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development recognizes the importance of having parent input on major policy initiatives such as rezoning and permanent school closures.  The department and school boards understand the value of having similar policy throughout the boards on issues whenever possible.  The school boards do work jointly on many policy initiatives.  The Department plans to conduct a review of the school closure regulations provided under the School Act to determine if amendments should be made to incorporate learnings from the recent process in the Eastern School District.  If changes are implemented, the two school boards would need to update their policies to comply with regulations.  The inclusion of parental input throughout the process is something that will be examined and taken into account.

Eastern School District: The Eastern School Distrct agrees there is value in getting together to solidify the process of rezoning and permanent school closures.  The Eastern School District, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, and Western School Board have agreed to discuss a consistent process for school rezoning and permanent school closures.  This would involve looking at the acts and policies presently in place, including the involvement and role of parents, and balancing this with the obvious administrative decisions that are part of this process.  The Eastern School District will commit to contacting the Western School Board and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to set up a meeting at a time and place agreeable to all three.

Western School Board:  While we are satisfied our current policy and procedures are transparent and meet the needs of all parties in terms of consultation and evidence-based decision-making, we would be most willing to work with the Eastern School District and Department of Education & Early Childhood Development to review current practises.  The inclusion of parent representatives throughout this process and their ability to have a voice in these discussions has been a critical component of our procedures and the successes we have enjoyed.