14½ fewer teachers

NEWS RELEASES

ALGOMA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

************************* Secondary organization

The proposed organization for secondary schools for 2010-2011 is developed in consultation with principals and is based on (a) the projected enrollment for each school, (b) the number of option sheets received from each school, (c) the course selection made by students and (d) the overall GSN funding (Grants for Student Needs) as allocated by the Ministry of Education.

The total projected enrollment for September 2010 is 4385 (including all ADSB secondary schools, Late Schools, Urban Aboriginal Alternative School and Co-Op School).

This compares to the October 31, 2009 enrollment of 4635 with a staffing complement of 349 FTE (full-time equivalent) teachers.

For September 2010, the projected decline in enrollment is 250 secondary students.

Classroom organization and staffing efficiencies will result in a reduction in the organization of 14.5 FTE classroom teachers for 2010-2011.

Through attrition, it is hopeful that with additional retirements and other leaves to be received by the end of the year, there will be minimal to no lay-offs in the secondary panel.

************************* Elementary organization Grades JK to 8

It is expected that elementary organization will be ready in the next week or two and will be brought for board approval at the next board meeting.

The board continues to be pleased with its JK registrations which continue to climb.

Currently there are 515 Junior Kindergarten registrations and numbers increase daily.

Registrations for the Grade 7 and 8 programming at the Superior Heights Grade 7-12 School also continue to increase and are currently sitting at 76 students, or three classes.

************************* New leadership approach for SSM alternative schools

Gord Widgett has been appointed Principal of our expanding secondary alternative programs for 2010-2011.

His leadership portfolio will include Late School, the Coop School, the Urban Aboriginal Alternative School, E-Learning, and the Sault College Connection program.

Under Mr. Widgett’s leadership, the board will continue to explore innovative programs to meet the needs of students pursuing graduation diplomas and alternative pathways.

************************* Out-of-country travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for Superior Heights students

The board approved a curriculum trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for March 2011.

Teacher Vicki Aiudi requested the opportunity to organize the trip from March 12 - 20, 2011 for approximately 25 senior students from what will then be Superior Heights Collegiate & Vocational School.

There will be one chaperone for every seven students.

This trip to Rio de Janeiro will provide students with many opportunities to experience historical and cultural aspects of the country that relate to curriculum in history and geography.

The trip includes guided tours of Corcovado, Colonial Rio, Tijuca National Park and Petropolis.

All costs are to be borne by the participants.

Procedures for travel out-of-country will be followed including: appropriate supervision, safety, insurance, transportation and medical coverage.

************************* Trustee positions

To be ready for trustee elections on October 25, school boards must determine the number of trustee positions and the distribution of these positions within the geographic area of the school board.

Ministry of Education regulations prescribe the methods for distribution using the Ministry template.

Trustees approved the determination and distribution of trustee positions.

This policy assigns 10 trustees to the board:

- One trustee to represent the North

- One trustee to represent Central Algoma

- One trustee to represent North Shore

- One trustee to represent Elliot Lake

- One trustee to represent (unauthorized townships of Prince)

- Five trustees to represent Sault Ste. Marie

In addition, there is a First Nation Trustee and two student trustees.

************************* Echo Bay/ Laird Kindergarten program

For the last few years, JK students from both Laird and Echo Bay have attended Junior Kindergarten at Echo Bay Central Public School.

The students in Senior Kindergarten from these two school communities have attended Laird.

Anticipating the movement towards full-day JK and SK programming, a public meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, March 23rd for the communities of Echo Bay Central Public School and Laird Central Public School.

The board is considering housing both the JK and SK at the Echo Bay location for September 2010.

By offering JK/ SK at the Echo Bay location, the board can provide a strong, early learning program at a location that already has a daycare, and before and after school programming.

This means all programs for our youngest learners could be housed at one location.

All interested parents, staff and community members are invited to attend this meeting:

Date: Tuesday March 23, 2010

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Echo Bay Public School (290 Church Street)

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