A. The EPSB Sector Review process as we have seen it:

1. On Nov. 25, 2008 the Superintendent of Schools presented an Annual Implementation Plan for the 2008-2009 school year which mentioned some schools of concern but had not mention of inner-city CCEP schools. The report indicated that a Sector Review process would be established to focus on program needs, sustainability, space requirements, and schools that could be closed or shared with other partners. Requests for Proposals to dispose of property would also be prepared. The opening of new schools and spaces in new areas and the need to rationalize under-used schools was mentioned. “Public engagement professionals” would be hired to host a consultation process with students, parents staff, communities, non-profit groups, current and potential partners and the City of Edmonton. Consultation would take place from October 2009 to Marche 2010 with a report to be prepared. Recommendations and decisions would be made from April to June 2010. We have not yet seen the Annual Implementation Plan for the 2009-2010 school year.
2. Before the 2008-2009 plan was finished, the CCEP schools became a focus. We do not know when or where the CCEP schools got on the list, but we were made aware of a planning process going on in the Spring of 2009. There was still an impression that there would be another year or two before any decisions were pending on these schools.
3. In the Fall of 2009 we got information that the CCEP schools were an immediate priority for the Sector Review process – along with the schools that had been previously mentioned. We were assured that all schools in the system would eventually be reviewed and it was just luck-of-the-draw that we were the first to be reviewed. The consultation documents seem to put an emphasis on the alternate uses for unused school space with a view to sharing or closure. By accident or design, we were at the top of the list with the least amount of time to react.
4. All CCEP schools became alamed. Norwood parents met to discuss future action and participation. School profile data was mad available. A number of parents attended a consultation session. Reassurances were given that no conclusions had been established, but the insistence that “Change is Coming” was still a theme of concern. Those present wanted more information about the decision process and the inputs of others who were involved.

We are looking for ways to keep the schools in operation, not ways to close them and find alternate uses. We want to be informed and consulted at each stage of the process.
5. The “Dialogue Partners” representatives tell us that they will bring answers to our questions at the next stage of the consultation process. Time is short. We now have the impression that decisions will be made in January or February. Some feel the consultation process is designed to co-opt the public into decisions that are already contemplated.