M’CHIGEENG—There appears to be a lot of interest among representatives of municipalities and businesses-agencies to forming partnerships with the Rainbow District School Board (RDSB) for use of surplus space in schools.
The last of three RDSB stakeholder meetings with community partners was held at Manitoulin Secondary School last Friday. Norm Blaseg, RDSB director of education, pointed out the meeting was being held to review the board’s long-term capital data.
Dennis Bazinet, RDSB superintendent of business for the RDSB said, “we are so pleased you are here to have a frank discussion on community partnerships. We have guiding principles, students having access to the best quality education possible and looking at partnerships for surplus space in our schools.”
Through these partnerships “we hope to make better use of surplus space in our schools,” said Mr. Bazinet. He noted in August, a presentation will be made to the board of a long-term capital and accommodation plan, which includes the initial staff report on student accommodation.
The RDSB uses a school space utilization rate chart which shows that 79 percent is good, fair 70-79 percent, poor 50-69 percent and critical 50 percent, said Mr. Bazinet. Student enrolment for the board shows that from 2006-2015 on the elementary panel enrolment in RDSB declined from 10,029 to 8,462 in 2015. On the secondary panel the decline was from 6,468 in 2006 to 5,030 in 2015. The projected five year enrolment for elementary schools shows a projected decline from 8,462 in 2015 to 7,924 in 2019 and from 5,030 to 4,387 in the secondary panel for an overall decrease from 13,492 to 12,311.
To maintain quality education for students and generate funding for the board, the board is looking at options, such as partnerships, to curtail school space concerns.
Using C.C. McLean Public School in Gore Bay as an example, Mr. Bazinet noted the school’s current space utilization rate is 42 percent (145 excess public spaces and by 2019-2020 this is to decrease to 46 percent with 145 excess school spaces.
“We are always looking at the capital needs of the schools, and if we can develop partnerships for leasing and renting space in all our schools,” said Mr. Bazinet. “We’re looking for innovative solutions to make better use of our schools; to share space with municipalities, health, businesses, agencies.”
Wayne Bailey, Burpee-Mills councillor noted, “we’ve seen the effects of school closures previously. We want more young people moving in and having schools in a community helps maintain a viable community-area.” He also noted that when schools are closed there is a disconnect between the community and parents of children in school.
“Schools are very important to Manitoulin communities,” said Mr. Bailey. “That is why I am glad the board is looking at the partnership idea to use excess space in schools.”
Mr. Blaseg explained the RDSB needs to find $4 million in savings by September, 2018. He said all schools on Manitoulin qualify for top-up funding from the province to the board. He said the biggest challenge to schools on the Island is what services-programs will continue with declining enrolment and revenues. It is through the community partnerships that they can be offset.
“If for example the Town of Gore Bay is interested in partnering with the board for space in (C.C. McLean) to provide an office for health-wellness or a physiotherapist what rates and space is available. And can we renovate this space for those type of things?”asked Annette Clarke.
“With any expression of interest we would need to discuss this on a one on one basis,” said Mr. Bazinet. “The short answer to your question is yes, we would provide the space in a school and renovations can occur; we do have criteria we have to meet in terms of student safety and parking.”
Mr. Bazinet pointed out very few school boards are increasing in student enrolment-they are all facing the same challenges.
Private enterprise could also request space in schools from the board, the meeting was told. “All that is required is that it is a good fit with the school,” said Mr. Bazinet. He said if a business partner for example, wanted to have a business open later at night than just during school hours, and year-round, this would be accommodated as well. “We would look at separate entrances. We are quite open ended on all of this and would look at anything the community wants.”
Mr. Blaseg said by August the RDSB will have a plan and recommendations in place to take to the board, but the whole process can take as much as three years.
Ms. Clarke asked when the RDSB would begin taking to municipalities about possible partnerships and Mr. Bazinet said, “we just need notice that you are interested; we can start next week.”
Ms. Fields asked if moving Grade 7-8 students into high schools is a consideration of the board.
“This type of thing will happen in Sudbury,” said Mr. Blaseg, “and where it is practical.”
As for interest in terms of partnerships, “I’m sure the board will get interest from (Manitoulin) municipalities further west,” said Mr. Bailey. “We look at Gore Bay as our home school. We feel that kinship.”
“The sooner the better as far as those interested in partnerships talking to us the better,” said Mr. Blaseg. “It definitely does not mean in a year interested parties shouldn’t contact us, we will still be interested.”
