Review: Yarker FS & Odessa PS

Limestone Learning Foundation

At a Special Meeting of the Limestone District School Board of Trustees June 5, 2017, Trustees voted to close Yarker Family School in September 2018 and relocate its students to Odessa Public School. Furthermore, the Board voted to declare Yarker school surplus to the Board in the fall of 2018.

The vote follows a Pupil Accommodation Review Process regarding Yarker Family School and Odessa Public School. The review process began in October 2016 and included consultation with the Pupil Accommodation Review Committee, the public and the broader school community over the past eight months. The intent of the review is to ensure appropriate program opportunities for students while balancing the ongoing challenges of declining enrolment and changes to funding that no longer support under-enrolled rural schools.

Trustees passed the following motions at the School Enrolment/School Capacity Committee of the Whole Board which were then confirmed at a Special Meeting of the Board shortly thereafter.

1. That the School Enrolment/School Capacity Committee of the Whole Board (SE/SCC) receive this Administrative Report and (Booklet 3) containing the Final Staff Report, Minutes from the SE/SCC meetings of April 24, 2017 and May 9, 2017, and May 9, 2017 delegation presentations and written feedback from the community from April 8, 2017 to May 31, 2017.

2. That the SE/SCC recommend that the Board approve the following:
2.1 That the present catchment area of the Yarker Family School be included with the Odessa Public School catchment area and the JK to Grade 3 students consolidated into Odessa Public School;
2.2 That the consolidation of the Yarker Family School students into Odessa Public School commence in September 2018; and
2.3 That the Yarker Family School be closed, and declared surplus to the Board in the fall of 2018.


The Board is working to support the movement of students and staff into their new school in a way that is both positive and supportive of both school communities. An integration committee will work over the next school year to support the transition of students and staff.

Integration Committee

As outlined in Board Policy 15: School Accommodation, it is important that the integration of students and staff into their new school is achieved in a way that is positive and supportive for the students and parents of the respective school communities. To help achieve this, the school integration process includes the establishment of a New School Integration Committee. Typically, the Integration Committee helps plan for and implement the positive integration of students and staff affected by consolidation, closure or program relocation into their new school environment. The Integration Committee provides input on school transition activities, including honouring and incorporating artifacts and other memorabilia from schools. Sometimes, the Integration Committee will appoint subcommittees to provide input on specific integration items.

The Integration Committee will include representation from students, school councils, staff and trustees:

  • School Council Chairperson or designate from each school;

  • School Principal from each school;

  • Teaching and non-teaching staff from each school;

  • Appropriate school Superintendent;

  • Area Trustee to serve as Committee Chair;

  • Board support staff as required; and

  • Others as required.

Yarker/Odessa Integration Committee Meeting Minutes

 

 

The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.