Accommodation Review Subcommittee

Fisher Park Subgroup Update

Here are the key questions that Devonshire's Parent Group - Fisher Park Option Subgroup felt were necessary to have answered in order to better understand the Fisher Park option.

January 2013 - Questions for the Working Group to ask the School Board

Priority Questions
(1) We understand that the City owns the land and it is leased to the Board (i.e., green space and school). How does this affect things? For example, are there any limitations in the lease that would affect this proposal solution?
(2) Based on what we can see, there would be a need for 40 classrooms by 2014 when there are 35 available. Do we have this right? If we do, does this mean 5 portables would be required right away?

Existing Programming
(3) What would happen to the space allocated to the City of Ottawa programs if this move happens (i.e., playgroups during the day for little kids)?
(4) What would happen to the space allocated to the Fisher Park Recreation Association if this move happens? Even if they only use the space evenings and weekends, we understand that they may have office space and storage space and play a huge role with respect to the green space.
a. Would there not be a benefit in having the Fisher Park Recreation Association represented on the Working Group? They are currently working with the City on an improvement project worth $600,000 for the green space and they offer extensive recreational programming in the neighbourhood.
(5) We understand that there is a McHugh program (partnered with Roberts Smart Centre). What would happen to that program?

Renovations
(6) If City of Ottawa public recreational programs and a JK-8 school are sharing the building, how would security and screening in the building be managed in order to ensure student safety? Would renovations be required to enable school access to be controlled?
(7) What types of options are there for a playground area for kindergarten students and other younger kids?
(8) Has Fisher had any sort of renovation assessment done on it or systems report looking at the overall condition of the school? If so, can we see it?
(9) Has there been any an analysis of the work that needs to done to accommodate JK-8 in the school? If so, can we see it?
a. Funds for teaching tools/recreational tools for elementary education?
(10) If there are renovations that need to be done, who would pay – the Province or the Board?
(11) Will there be enough time to complete renovations by a 2014 entry? If not, please give examples of the type of renovations that would be done to get things at least started.

Other
(12) Would there be a before and after school program in Fisher? If so, from day one?
a. On page 59 of the report, it states that “new childcare arrangements to be made if required, etc.” What does that mean?
b. Would the waiting list at Devonshire shift over to Fisher?
(13) As a 7-8 school with multiple programs, Fisher is a “feeder school.” If JK-8 was introduced, it in essence becomes a single cohort model. Would this have an impact on how the school functions? For instance, would the School Board consider keeping EFI in one place and then moving the other existing 7-8 programs elsewhere? What kind of school is Fisher going to be?
(14) Would there be enough parking spots for the additional teachers?
(15) Assuming that more busses are needed to accommodate younger children, how would they be accommodated on the site? For example, would cars be directed to Holland and bus traffic to Harmer?
(16) The report refers to a zero transfer cap at Fisher. What would be the impact of this?
(17) If this is not the best way to get answers to these questions, who do we ask?