Multi-Year Plan 2011-2014 - Eastern School District

Executive SummaryThe Eastern School District is the largest school district in the province both in terms ofstudent enrolment and number of schools. The District maintains approximately 5.5million square feet of floor space and 119 schools with approximately 40,000 studentsand 4,000 teaching and support staff.The mission of the Eastern School District is to create enhanced learning environmentsso that all students can achieve and succeed in the 21 st century within a healthy,active, safe, caring, and socially just environment. As part of its governance function,Eastern School Board has a responsibility to ensure a wise investment of resources.All decisions regarding reconfigurations and/or closures have been evaluated in termsof meeting this function.This Draft Multi-Year Facilities Review Document has been developed as part of theDistrict’s Strategic Plan (2011 – 2014). This draft plan was developed using theBoard’s planning considerations and using data collected through internal research andfeedback from school administrators and school councils. Within this plan, the EasternSchool Board is demonstrating its commitment to providing educational programs tostudents using a model of community and neighbourhood schools.Multi-year planning brings many challenges to Eastern School Board. There are small,rural schools with challenges around program delivery and urban schools with largeclass sizes. Eastern School Board is however committed to continuing to work with allcommunities and school councils of this District to ensure that our students receivebroad, high-quality educational opportunities.Any decision to recommend a school for closure or reconfiguration is not taken lightly.The Board recognizes the importance of finding a balance between maintainingcommunity and neighbourhood schools as well as ensuring that students receivequality learning opportunities in healthy, active, safe, caring, and socially justenvironments. This draft plan reflects the Board’s attempt to find this balance.Phase Two of the 2006 – 2011 multi-year plan was focused on the greater St. John’sarea. This draft plan has a specific focus on areas of the district outside St. John’sand the Northeast Avalon. However, the objective of a second planning phase will beto focus on growth areas where new facilities may be required and to consider therealignment of feeder systems around the concept of community and neighbourhoodschools. As such, the plan includes a comprehensive review of Zone 14 – MountPearl and Paradise. It also includes interrelated continuing work concerning capitalfunding for the planning, land and design for potential new schools in Conception BaySouth, Torbay-Flatrock-Pouch Cove-Bauline, Paradise and Portugal Cove - St. Phillips.Page 2