News Release


Administrative Review Completed At Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board

Ministry of Education Accepts Independent Facilitator's Report

January 23, 2009

The Ministry of Education accepts independent facilitator Margaret Wilson's report examining the accommodation review process for an elementary school at the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.

The report states that the board did follow its locally developed accommodation review process for South Cramahe Public School in Colborne.

The ministry approved the request for an administrative review of the board's process. Wilson, a former Registrar and CEO of the Ontario College of Teachers, 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.

Quotes

"I want to thank everyone who co-operated with Ms. Wilson in this review," said Education Minister Kathleen Wynne. "It is clear that the board and the community take their responsibility to provide the best possible accommodations and programs for its students very seriously."

"School closure decisions are best made at the local level because the school board has knowledge of the local community and the needs of the local students," said Wilson in her report. "While no process is perfect, the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board has developed a policy on pupil accommodation which is remarkable in its use of plain language and in its detail. The policy places value to the student front and foremost."

Quick Facts

  • The ministry's 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.
  • Margaret Wilson has extensive experience in the education sector, including 17 years as a classroom teacher, over 20 years in senior executive positions at teacher federations and education organizations. In addition, she has served on many Ministry of Education committees and task forces.

learn more

Read Margaret Wilson's Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board full report.

Learn more about the Pupil Accommodation Review Guideline and the review process.