Peel I>istrict • School Board ~

September 27, 2016

TO: Janet McDougald

RE: Regular Meeting of the Board- Agenda Updates

REGRETS:

REGRETS FOR LATE ARRIVAL:

ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:

8.1 Response to delegation by Barbara Cogan, JEMMS - (Peel's Junior Elementary Music Makers) re classroom closures impact on music programs

Peel District School Board 8.1

Regular Meeting of the Board September 27, 2016

Response to Delegation: Barbara Cogan, Junior Elementary Music Makers regarding classroom closures

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the response be received.

Background:

At the Regular Meeting of the Board held on September 13, 2016, Barbara Cogan, representing Junior Elementary Music Makers, delegated the Board regarding the closure of classrooms and how it affects music programs. The attached letter will be sent in response to the delegation.

Submitted by:

Janet McDougald Chair

Trustees

September 27, 2016

Barbara Cogan Junior Elementary Music Makers Association of Peel

Dear Barbara:

Peel District • School Board ..........,

5650 Hurontario Street Mississauga, ON, Canada L5R 1C6 t 905.890.1010 1.800.668.1146 f 905.890.6747 www.peelschools.org

Thank you for your delegation to the Peel District School Board at its Regular Meeting on September 13, 2016, regarding concerns the Junior Elementary Music Makers (JEMMS) Association of Peel has about the board's decision to close excess classroom space due to a reduction in provincial funding and how this affects the location of music programs in Peel schools.

As you know, from a letter sent to you from the Peel board on September 12, 2016, provincial budget reductions related to the provision of custodial and school attendant service have reduced the number of classrooms that are funded to be cleaned by custodial and school attendant staff. This reality has meant that we must close classrooms that are not funded for cleaning to ensure adequate custodial services are provided to fully funded spaces in schools and other board locations and to balance our budget.

We also acknowledge that approximately half of Peel's elementary schools are at or above capacity and so by necessity, vocal music and French at these schools are delivered in shared classrooms - on carts. These programs are of high quality due to the expertise and dedication of teachers and principals.

However, we recognize that the timelines for this decision have been short and that the system needs more time to explore other possible options. As such, the Board has approved a motion to "pause" the closure of elementary French and vocal music classrooms for the 2016-17 school year. All other classroom closures will continue as originally planned and communicated. During the budget development process, the Board will deliberate this matter in greater detail. As well, our Board will work with our union partners to raise the issue of funding with the government in the hopes of seeking a change to the funding of classroom space for French and Vocal Music. I must emphasize that this is a one year solution.

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Janet McDougald, Chair Suzanne Nurse, Vice-Chair Carrie Andrews

David Green Sue Lawton Brad MacDonald Kathy McDonald Harkirat Singh Rick Williams

Director of Education and Secretary Tony Pontes

Associate Director, Instructional Support Services Scott Moreash

Associate Director, Operational Support Services Jaspal Gill

Stan Cameron Robert Crocker Nokha Dakroub

ISO 9001 CERTJFIED- CUSTODIAl SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE SC:RVICES

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Like JEMMS, we recognize and appreciate the benefits of strong vocal music programs. We are pleased to be able to maintain French and vocal music in dedicated classrooms in schools that are below Ministry Rated Capacity for the 2016-17 school year.

On behalf of the board, thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention.

Yours sincerely,

Janet McDougald Chair

c. Steve Denommee, President, Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, Peel Local Hubert Brard, Instructional Coordinator- Arts