TDSB Closes 23 Pools in June 2008
TDSB Closes 23 Pools in June 2008 to Fund Other Priorities
Toronto, ON, April 4, 2008 – Effective June 2008, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) will be closing 23 school pools. Additional pools have been identified to close effective June 2009 (see attached list). The pools where the City runs community programs, as well as pools that are needed for Special Education programs, will remain open. The estimated cost savings of $4 million can be applied towards the Board’s budget shortfall or used to fund new investments such as the increased number of ESL teachers approved by the Board for 2008-09.
The decommissioning of these pools is a result of a previous Board decision, made by Trustees, in June 2007, stating, “if, by February 1, 2008, the provincial government does not agree to fund Board unfunded pools either through operating or capital grants or through a specific education mill rate, that the process of decommissioning all school-based pools effective June 1, 2008 be implemented.”
Earlier in the year, the Board completed a comprehensive review to identify the schools that would not be able to timetable physical education programs if their school pool was closed. Decommissioning criteria also included pool rental revenue and the average number of weekly swims. “The Board regrets having to close any pools over the next 2 years. There is no question of the value of enabling children to learn how to swim and of the benefits of physical activity,” said John Campbell, Chair of the TDSB. “Unfortunately, the funding formula used by the Provincial Ministry of Education does not provide school boards the ability to operate and maintain pools.”
The TDSB has been actively engaged in funding discussions with both the City of Toronto and the Provincial Government. The Province and the City have indicated additional funding will not be available. An agreement is being negotiated with the City of Toronto to continue operating pools with City-run community programs until 2011.
Schools identified for decommissioning in June 2008:
Elementary Schools: Carleton Village Sr PS, Earl Grey Sr PS, Fern Avenue Jr & Sr. PS, Keele Street Jr PS & City Community Centre, Kensington Community School, Queen Alexandra Sr. PS. and Winona McMurrich Jr PS
Secondary Schools: Bickford Centre, Central Commerce Collegiate, Central Technical School (2 pools), Danforth Collegiate & Technical Institute, Downsview SS, Forest Hill CI, George Harvey CI, George S Henry Academy, Jarvis CI, Monarch Park, North Toronto CI, Riverdale CI, Rosedale Heights SS, SATEC @WA Porter and Ursula Franklin Academy at Western Technical
School identified for decommissioning in June 2009:Allenby Jr PS, AY Jackson SS, Deer Park Jr & Sr PS, Glenview Sr PS, Bloor CI, Harbord CI, Humberside CI, Lawrence Park CI, Malvern CI, Northern SS, Oakwood CI, Parkdale CI, RH King Academy, Stephen Leacock CI, Western Technical-Commercial School, and Westview Centennial
Breakdown of 84 Pools in TDSB schools:
34 City Owned or Funded to 20112 Special Education to remain open23 Decommissioned in June 200816 To be decommissioned in June 20099 remaining pools that are either already decommissioned, in closed schools, or will be reviewed in future years.
*The pool at Annette PS is owned by the City of Toronto.
The Toronto District School Board serves more than 266,000 students throughout 560 schools.
For more information, please contact: Kelly Baker, Communications and Public Affairs, Toronto District School Board, 416-395-2721, kelly.baker@tdsb.on.ca
Toronto, ON, April 4, 2008 – Effective June 2008, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) will be closing 23 school pools. Additional pools have been identified to close effective June 2009 (see attached list). The pools where the City runs community programs, as well as pools that are needed for Special Education programs, will remain open. The estimated cost savings of $4 million can be applied towards the Board’s budget shortfall or used to fund new investments such as the increased number of ESL teachers approved by the Board for 2008-09.
The decommissioning of these pools is a result of a previous Board decision, made by Trustees, in June 2007, stating, “if, by February 1, 2008, the provincial government does not agree to fund Board unfunded pools either through operating or capital grants or through a specific education mill rate, that the process of decommissioning all school-based pools effective June 1, 2008 be implemented.”
Earlier in the year, the Board completed a comprehensive review to identify the schools that would not be able to timetable physical education programs if their school pool was closed. Decommissioning criteria also included pool rental revenue and the average number of weekly swims. “The Board regrets having to close any pools over the next 2 years. There is no question of the value of enabling children to learn how to swim and of the benefits of physical activity,” said John Campbell, Chair of the TDSB. “Unfortunately, the funding formula used by the Provincial Ministry of Education does not provide school boards the ability to operate and maintain pools.”
The TDSB has been actively engaged in funding discussions with both the City of Toronto and the Provincial Government. The Province and the City have indicated additional funding will not be available. An agreement is being negotiated with the City of Toronto to continue operating pools with City-run community programs until 2011.
Schools identified for decommissioning in June 2008:
Elementary Schools: Carleton Village Sr PS, Earl Grey Sr PS, Fern Avenue Jr & Sr. PS, Keele Street Jr PS & City Community Centre, Kensington Community School, Queen Alexandra Sr. PS. and Winona McMurrich Jr PS
Secondary Schools: Bickford Centre, Central Commerce Collegiate, Central Technical School (2 pools), Danforth Collegiate & Technical Institute, Downsview SS, Forest Hill CI, George Harvey CI, George S Henry Academy, Jarvis CI, Monarch Park, North Toronto CI, Riverdale CI, Rosedale Heights SS, SATEC @WA Porter and Ursula Franklin Academy at Western Technical
School identified for decommissioning in June 2009:Allenby Jr PS, AY Jackson SS, Deer Park Jr & Sr PS, Glenview Sr PS, Bloor CI, Harbord CI, Humberside CI, Lawrence Park CI, Malvern CI, Northern SS, Oakwood CI, Parkdale CI, RH King Academy, Stephen Leacock CI, Western Technical-Commercial School, and Westview Centennial
Breakdown of 84 Pools in TDSB schools:
34 City Owned or Funded to 20112 Special Education to remain open23 Decommissioned in June 200816 To be decommissioned in June 20099 remaining pools that are either already decommissioned, in closed schools, or will be reviewed in future years.
*The pool at Annette PS is owned by the City of Toronto.
The Toronto District School Board serves more than 266,000 students throughout 560 schools.
For more information, please contact: Kelly Baker, Communications and Public Affairs, Toronto District School Board, 416-395-2721, kelly.baker@tdsb.on.ca