The Ashcroft HUB and School District 74’s Building Disposal Process

(Disclosire:  HON Online Network, the producer of this story is located in the Ashcroft Hub).

School District 74 has added the agenda for the upcoming board meeting, an item stating that they were going put a notion on the floor in regards to the beginnings of the disposal process of the Ashcroft Elementary School, now referred to as the Ashcroft HUB.

School Building Closure and Disposal Date policy came into force or revised, September 3, 2008. Policy statement If a Board of Education no longer requires property for educational purposes, the Board must seek the approval of the Minister prior to disposing of the property by sale and transfer or by a lease of 10 years or more, unless the Board is selling or leasing land or buildings to another board (including the Conseil scolaire francophone) or independent school for educational purposes. Boards of education must engage in broad consultation and in enhanced planning regarding underutilized school buildings and other property owned by boards prior to property disposition.

Rationale or purpose of policy The Ministry of Education and boards of education have an expanded mandate for early learning. Government made a 2008 throne speech commitment to study the possible implementation of all-day kindergarten for five year old children and optional all-day programs for three and four year old children. Future school space requirements related to these new initiatives must be considered prior to disposing of currently underutilized or surplus property. School buildings and property are also valuable public assets that can become centers for delivering education and community services that meet the vital needs of the community. Available school space should be available for alternative community use; for example, early learning, child care services, adult and industry training education programs, family resource centers, seniors’ centers, public libraries, health care and therapy services, local social services, community recreation programs.

The policy outlines the terms and conditions that the Minister will consider in the approval of a board of education’s request to dispose of real property. The disposal of real property includes the sale, exchange or lease of 10 years or more of land or improvements or both. Boards of education must consider potential space needs for early learning programs in the future. Available school space will be needed to accommodate these and other programs. School buildings are a valuable asset where communities may find new uses, now and in the future. Boards of education must consider potential needs for alternative community use. With respect to surplus or underutilized school space, the board must consult with local government, community organizations and the public on alternative community uses. This consultation process must include:

Consideration of future enrolment growth in the district, including Kindergarten to Grade 12, adult programs, and early learning; Consideration of alternative community use of surplus space in school buildings and other facilities; and A fair consideration of the community’s input and adequate opportunity for the community to respond to the board’s plans for the school. Only in exceptional circumstances should a board consider permanently disposing of school property. Without the approval of the Minister, a board may only sell land or buildings to another board or independent school for educational purposes. A board may lease property for under 10 years according to its own policies and procedures to an entity for an alternative community use. The Minister may approve a sale or lease of 10 years or more to an entity for use other than alternative community use. When such exceptional circumstances occur, a board must confirm that the board will not require the land or improvements for future educational or community purposes.

From Vicky Trill, the executive director of the Ashcroft HUB, she states that; no decisions have been made yet, the HUB board has asked the school board (SB) to postpone this discussion until we are living in more certain times, if the disposal discussion moves forward the SB will be looking for public feedback. The entire process will take time (more than a year). The HUB board will continue to provide services to the community and will be discussing the options available for continuing for a long time into the future. We will keep the community updated on this process Back to the Story. Vicky Trill is a School Trustee and will have to recuse herself from any of the discussion and decision making process, as Vicky is the executive Director of the HUB.