Yonge-Eglinton Feasibility Study Next Steps – Program Area Review (PART)
The Central Accommodations Committee has approved the staff’s feasibility study moving to the next stage of the process which is a Program Area Review. According to the definition, “this process looks at what programs are offered within a community or grouping of schools and identifies where program gaps or space needs may exist. They can look at a range of options to increase access to program including the establishment of new schools, the introduction of new specialized programs or possible changes to grade configurations of a school.” A Program Area Review Team (PART) with parent and TDSB representatives has been created to now look at proposed options. As part of this process, hearing from parents and community is important and Public Meetings have been tentatively scheduled for October 20 (with the same information to be shared on October 27) and a final meeting on November 17 to inform the community of PART decisions. Between the public meetings, the PART reconvenes to review the options after hearing from parents and community members. A letter announcing this process and confirming the dates will be out shortly. Staff has also advised me that recent practice for reports resulting from Program Area Review Teams have been referred to the Board of Trustees for final decision making. As per Policy P068 the Director has this discretion (3D.1.(d)). As soon as I am clear on the timeline for decision-making I will let you know.
Collective Bargaining Update
Going into this round of bargaining the Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA) who represents school boards in central bargaining, engaged in an inclusive process to determine priorities. This lengthy process ensured the Association had broad input from all of our school board stakeholder groups including our board. Under Ontario's new bargaining process, agreements must be reached both provincially and locally.
All parties have ratified the tentative settlement reached with OSSTF Teachers. OPSBA has tabled a comprehensive proposal to ETFO that mirrors the deal reached with OSSTF and also contains unique elements specifically raised by ETFO. This agreement ensures positive learning conditions for students and is respectful of the teachers who work in our classrooms. At this point, ETFO is on a work-to-rule campaign, but we are hopeful that an agreement can be reached within the parameters presented to ETFO and OPSBA is prepared to resume discussions on that basis.
For CUPE, the parties have agreed to additional bargaining dates September 26, 27 and 28. CUPE has advised if there is not an agreement by midnight on the 28th they will initiate phase 2 of their work-to-rule on September 29th.
TDSB Launches Refugee Crisis Fundraising Appeal
The Toronto District School Board has launched tdsbCARES: Refugee Crisis Appeal — a board-wide fundraising appeal to help with the relief effort amid the growing refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe. With hundreds of thousands of people affected, the TDSB is actively supporting the Canadian Red Cross, which, together with their Red Cross Movement partners, already has teams on the ground providing assistance.
As the need is great, the Board is encouraging its 250,000 students and more than 36,000 staff to take part in fundraising efforts where possible. Donations, which will be matched by the Government of Canada, will be accepted until December 11, 2015.
For those wishing to donate, please visit the TDSB website at
www.tdsb.on.ca.
