At the June 21 Halton District School Board meeting, the Board of Trustees received a report concerning the implementation of recommendations in the Burlington secondary school Program and Accommodation (PAR) report passed on June 7, 2017.
To facilitate the implementation of all school consolidation processes, as outlined in Board Report 17075, a central PAR Implementation Steering Committee has been created consisting of senior administration and representation from numerous Board departments. The committee's work will begin immediately.
Superintendent Terri Blackwell will chair the Steering Committee and coordinate the PAR implementation process. As a current superintendent of Burlington schools, Blackwell is familiar with the school program needs in Burlington schools and has extensive experience in leading the implementation of large-scale program initiatives within the Board.
The Steering Committee will meet regularly to support and assist in the coordination of all aspects of the school consolidation processes including staffing, student integration and transitions, school closings and new school re-culturing, program changes and facility modifications.
In addition to the establishment of the Steering Committee, the Board approved the creation of three School Integration Committees. Each committee will consist of the Superintendent, Principal, Trustee, School Council Chair or designate from each of the affected schools, and may also include additional members. The committees are:
- Burlington Central High School/International Baccalaureate Committee
- Lester B. Pearson and M.M. Robinson High Schools Committee
- Robert Bateman and Nelson High Schools Committee
In Fall 2017 a committee will also be established to investigate the concept of a speciality focus for Aldershot High School including, but not limited to, a theme, magnet, incubator, and /or alternative school model. The committee will be comprised of a variety of stakeholders from the Aldershot school community and central Board staff in addition to School Programs staff.
“We believe engaging all stakeholders in the integration processes will be crucial as new school cultures are developed through the lens of inclusion and encouraging learning and teaching environments," said Blackwell. “It is important the integration of students and staff is achieved in a way that is positive and supportive for the students and families of the respective school communities and neighbourhoods."
To support facility modifications at any of the consolidated school sites, the Board will initiate a process to hire an architect this summer, to be appointed by September 2017. This timeline will align with the initiation of school integration committees and discussion around program changes that will necessitate modifications to existing school buildings.
Beginning in September 2017, a PAR update standing item will be added to Board meeting agendas on a bi-monthly basis. Also, a dedicated webpage will be created on the Board website, www.hdsb.ca, to ensure stakeholders are kept informed throughout the process with respect to timelines, progress updates, as well as opportunities for involvement and input.
For additional information, contact:
Stuart Miller, Director of Education
Halton District School Board
905-335-3663 Toll free: 1-877-618-3456