At Dialogue Partners, we are working with Edmonton Public Schools to engage the public in Sector Planning Review in Central, South Central and West 1 sectors.

What is sector planning? The goal of sector planning is to make the best possible use of available resources so that all students have access to vibrant schools and quality programs in their sectors. Sector review might mean change. Possible outcomes include status quo, combining schools together, reorganization or relocation of programs or closure of some schools.

The public engagement process provides multiple opportunities for all interested parents, teachers, community members and the general public to be involved in dialogue on the issues, in a variety of ways.

How do we make the best use of the available resources so that all children have access to vibrant schools and a range of quality programs in their sector?

Here are some basic facts:

• Vibrant schools with a range of quality programs that help every child reach their potential is the goal of Edmonton Public Schools. Reduced funding as a result of declining enrolment makes it challenging to deliver a range of quality programming, activities and support to students.

• There are 20 schools under review in Central Sector, where there is enrolment of 5,637 students, and between 3,291* and 4,335** surplus spaces.

• There are 26 schools under review in South Central Sector, where there is enrolment of 7,307 students, and between 3,664* and 5,198** surplus spaces.

• There are 24 schools under review in West 1 Sector, where there is enrolment of 6,612 students, and between 4,190* and 5,225** surplus spaces.

• Provincial funding for teaching is provided per student.

• Provincial funding for maintenance is tied to the number of students the district has, rather than the amount of space it maintains.

• Edmonton Public Schools offer families a choice. Students are not limited to their designated school and parents can choose to have their children attend any school in the city providing that there is sufficient space and the student meets any entrance criteria. Community schools and schools with alternative programs are both important.

• Edmonton Public Schools, the City of Edmonton and the Province are meeting, discussing and working together on these important issues.

• Edmonton Public Schools is committed to understanding and considering the input of interested and affected people on this issue, and reflecting how that input is used in recommendations to the Board of Trustees.

Note: there is more data on the sector review website at www.sectorreview2010.com
* ACOL - student spaces based on a count of classrooms and the number of students that can be accommodated in them. This is based on recommendations of the Alberta Commission on Learning.
** ACU - Area, Capacity and Utilization. The ACU capacity looks at square footage of the building and is based on safety codes for the maximum number of people a building can hold.

These basic realities place financial, educational and community challenges upon Edmonton Public schools. We want your input to identify ways to address this complex issue.

There are some basic principles that underlie this conversation, and how the public engagement process is being conducted. They include:

• Inclusion – all voices are valued, and all input is important. We know from the input we have received so far that there is a wide diversity of views on this issue, and each individual has a right to a voice, and everyone will be provided an opportunity to speak for themselves. If small groups of like-minded people want to provide input, we welcome it, just as we welcome the diversity of views from individuals across the sectors.

• Constructive and Respectful engagement – people are passionate about their children and communities. We want everyone to be able to share what is important to them, in a way that is respectful and constructive of diverse views and values, and doesn’t polarize people or communities.

• This is a complex issue – There is no easy solution, and no “right” answer to the opportunities and challenges posed by sector planning. There are a wide variety of issues to be considered, and a diversity of values, needs and considerations. Since the diversity of views is vastly different, understanding will come from both sharing what is important individually, and understanding what is important to others. We’ll be as thorough as we can with providing information, and we encourage you to consider the complete picture on this complex issue so you can provide informed input, rather than relying on “bits” and “pieces” of information that don’t tell the whole story.

• Accountable and Transparent process – We will report on everything we hear, and respond to inquiries and requests for information and share these answers with everyone. We’ll communicate frequently and in a number of ways.

• Multiple opportunities to provide input in a conversation that builds on itself – As defined by the International Association of Public Participation www.iap2.org, meaningful public engagement is built on three foundations: 1) Decision-oriented – gathering input in order to develop recommendations for moving forward; 2) Goal Focused – engaging people with a purpose and objective; and 3) Values based – understanding and considering people’s values and what is important to them. The public engagement process for sector planning includes these foundations. This spring discussion will focus on values based issues, and in the fall on bringing together those values with the facts and realities and asking people to identify options going forward. There are multiple ways to provide your input throughout the engagement process.

So….that said…. How do we make the best use of the available resources so that all children have access to vibrant schools and a range of quality programs in their sector? What is important to you? What needs to be considered?

Stephani Roy McCallum
Managing Director, Dialogue Partners Inc.
Edmonton Public Schools Sector Planning Review