The summary of adopted recommendations in the table below includes the page number within the Strategic Facilities Plan document where background information is discussed.
For a full summary of the consultation process and the public feedback received, please refer to the Public Consultation Summary document.
Proposed New Programs of Choice
Fine Arts
The development of a thriving Fine Arts program requires the commitment of school staff and the school community. It is recommended that an in depth review of the viability of a Fine Arts academy hosted at Garibaldi Secondary be completed by February 2016 with recommendations for next steps presented to the Board by March 2016.
It is further recommended that a review of elementary fine arts programs, including a review of fine arts programs at Blue Mountain Elementary, be completed by February 2017 with recommendations for next steps presented to the Board by March 2017.
In addition, it is recommended that staff explore the feasibility of post-secondary partnerships in the area of Fine Arts programming in secondary schools and make recommendations about next steps and possible timelines to the Board by March 2016.
To learn more, see page 9 of the Strategic Facilities Plan.
International Baccalaureate
The expansion of the International Baccalaureate program requires approval from the International Baccalaureate organization, a significant financial commitment as well as school staff and school community support.
The International Baccalaureate global authorization process spans over three calendar years, therefore if a submission for consideration was made in January 2016, the earliest implementation date for the new International Baccalaureate programs would be September 2019.
It is recommended that an in depth review of the viability of expanding the International Baccalaureate program hosted at Garibaldi Secondary be completed by December 2015, with recommendations for next steps presented to the Board by January 2016. This review shall include further consultation with school staff and school community at Garibaldi Secondary, discussions with the International Baccalaureate organization and a full financial impact analysis.
It is also recommended that an in depth review of the viability of expanding the International Baccalaureate program to Primary Years be completed by June 2017, with recommendations for next steps presented to the Board by September 2017. This review shall include further consultation with school district staff and the community, discussions with the International Baccalaureate organization and a full financial impact analysis.
To learn more, see page 10 of the Strategic Facilities Plan.
Trades Programs – Horticulture
It is recommended that staff work with post-secondary institutions and community partners on determining the feasibility of creating a new Horticulture trades program, and make recommendations regarding the program to the Board by February 2016.
To learn more, see page 12 of the Strategic Facilities Plan.
Trades Programs – Auto Collision Repair
It is recommended that staff work with post-secondary institutions and community partners on determining the feasibility of creating a new Auto Collision Repair program, and make recommendations regarding the program to the Board by February 2016.
To learn more, see page 12 of the Strategic Facilities Plan.
General Recommendations: Programs of Choice
It is recommended that staff continue to work on building awareness of all choice programming available in the school district.
It is recommended that staff continue to work with post-secondary institutions on expanding trades options in all Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows schools.
To learn more, see page 13 of the Strategic Facilities Plan.
Early French Immersion Catchment Areas
It is recommended that a new Early French Immersion program be established at Maple Ridge Elementary starting September 2016 and that an implementation plan is created by senior staff in consultation with the school community.
It is recommended that the catchment areas for Early French immersion as outlined in Map B be adopted effective September 2016 with students currently enrolled in the school and their siblings not being subject to the newly drawn catchment areas.
It is recommended that the French Immersion program intake for September 2016 be reduced at Pitt Meadows Elementary by limiting the growth of the French Immersion program to two kindergarten classes annually. This will ensure a balance between the English and French programs in dual-track schools, and limit the growth of the school to the existing capacity of the facilities.
To learn more, see page 46 of the Strategic Facilities Plan.
Pitt Meadows Elementary Catchment Areas
It is recommended that the catchment areas for Pitt Meadows as outlined in Map C be adopted effective September 2016 with students currently enrolled in the affected schools and their siblings not being subject to the newly drawn catchment areas.
To learn more, see page 47 of the Strategic Facilities Plan.
Secondary Catchment Areas: SRT & Garibaldi Secondary
It is recommended that the catchment areas for Garibaldi Secondary School and Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School as outlined in Map C be adopted effective September 2016 with students currently enrolled in the affected schools and their siblings not being subject to the newly drawn catchment areas.
It is further recommended that the intake of grade 8 students annually at Samuel Robertson Technical will be limited to 150, which would maintain the school population at about 750 students.
To learn more, see page 47 of the Strategic Facilities Plan.
Capital Plan Priorities for Existing Facilities
It is recommended that staff with the assistance of consultants develop renovation, building envelope remediation and routine capital projects for inclusion in the school district Five-Year Capital Plan with the following priorities for existing school district facilities:
- high risk safety deficiencies are addressed;
- the facility has a facility condition index (FCI) greater than the provincial average of 0.43; and
- the facility is used at or over the average capacity utilization for the school district and will continue to be needed for the foreseeable future.
It is further recommended that staff identify best use for underutilized school district facilities and make recommendations to the Board.
To learn more, see page 49 of the Strategic Facilities Plan.
Capital Plan Priorities for Future Schools (part 1 of 2)
It is recommended that the Board take the following actions with regards to Maple Ridge future school sites and new schools:
- in order to accommodate all estimated elementary student enrolment from Albion at build-out, ask for Ministry of Education support to expand the 104th school site to accommodate a school with a nominal capacity of 550 students and acquire one additional school site in Albion that would at a minimum accommodate a school with a nominal capacity of 550 students; and
- in order to address current enrolment pressures in the Albion area, continue to ask for Ministry of Education funding to build a new school on the expanded 104th school site; and
- in order to accommodate all estimated elementary student enrolment from Silver Valley at build-out, ask for Ministry of Education support to acquire one school site in Silver Valley that would at a minimum accommodate a school with a nominal capacity of 550 students; and further
- once Ministry of Education approval is received for acquisition of new school sites, work with the City of Maple Ridge to jointly acquire the school/park sites; and finally
- when the building of new schools is approved by the Ministry of Education, the Board will consult with the municipality and other stakeholders on school design so as to:
- ensure facilities decisions today do not limit future educational innovation, and
- explore opportunities for the joint development of new facilities.
To learn more, see page 53 of the Strategic Facilities Plan.
Capital Plan Priorities for Future Schools (part 2 of 2)
Because the school district will not require the Pitt Meadows South Bonson site for the foreseeable future, it is recommended that the Board begin the property disposal process.
It is also recommended that staff review all school district owned vacant land and make recommendations for best use or potential disposal to the Board.
To learn more, see page 55 of the Strategic Facilities Plan.