Toronto School Board Followed Accommodation Review Process

 
 

October 9, 2009 4:00 PM

McGuinty Government Accepts Independent Facilitator's Report

Independent facilitator Dave Cooke has concluded that the Toronto District School Board followed its accommodation review process for Timothy Eaton Business and Technical Institute.

Cooke's report was accepted by the Ministry of Education.

The ministry approved the request for an administrative review of the board's process that recommended the high school be closed. Cooke, a former Ontario Education Minister, consulted with the local accommodation review committee, the school board and people who participated in the process. 

Decisions about student accommodations -- including school closures -- are the responsibility of locally elected school boards.  Boards were required to develop accommodation review processes that comply with the government's Pupil Accommodation Review Guideline, which emphasizes consultation, transparency and local accountability.  Administrative reviews help communities and boards fulfill those core principles.

QUICK FACTS

 
  • The ministry's recently revised Pupil Accommodation Review Guideline mandates minimum timelines for consultation and an evaluation process based on the value of a school to its students and the community.
  • The guideline helps direct boards during pupil accommodation reviews, which are required in most circumstances when a school closure is considered.
  • The ministry has no authority to overturn school closure decisions or delay their implementation.
  • Dave Cooke has performed other independent reviews of school closure processes, providing valuable feedback to school boards, communities and the ministry.

CONTACTS

  • Gary Wheeler
    Communications Branch
    416-325-2454
    gary.s.wheeler@nullontario.ca
  • Greg MacNeil
    Minister's Office
    416-325-0122
    greg.macneil@nullontario.ca



Ministry of Education
ontario.ca/education


 

"I want to thank everyone who co-operated with Mr. Cooke in this review. It is clear that the board and the community respect their partnership and take their responsibility very seriously to provide the best possible accommodations and programs for its students."

 – Kathleen Wynne
Minister of Education

"Clearly the parents and staff who were involved in this review are committed to public education and the students of this school. While the process had flaws, I do not believe the board violated its accommodation review policy. However, the board would be wise to review its policy and learn from this Accommodation Review Committee's work."

 – Dave Cooke
Independent Facilitator

 
 
 
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