The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board has made the painful decision to close its offices in Dryden and Kenora.
Director of Education Sean Monteith says in under three years, all board operations will be run out of the second floor at Keewatin Public School.
Monteith says they have to follow a provincial directive to find 4% in savings and the priority for the board is protecting teachers and students.
He notes “if you are a staff member of either board office, it will obviously impact you because we are going to look at consolidating and with consolidation comes the discussion on efficiencies and that’s precisely what this is meant to do.”
Monteith says they have been able to maintain the majority of school staff positions, but notes reductions have been made in non-teaching positions.
The Dryden office has roughly 25 staff members.
However, Monteith hopes to minimize any staff reductions by carrying out the transition over a three year period.
Monteith adds “We’re not an employment agency. We are not about office administration. We are about schools and classrooms, our vision statement is about students. In terms of decision. Probably the most difficult decision that I have been part of as the director going on seven years.”
He says the board and trustees stand by their decision.
In terms of the selection of Keewatin Public School for the new headquarters.
Monteith says “We own the facility, so there’s no lease or rental costs. We currently, more or less, operate two facilities. We would consolidate that space that we already own.”
He adds “Keewatin Public School is at half capacity. It will become fully utilized in three years with the relocation of the board office. We eliminate, what we would consider excess pupil spaces and capacity for pupils in the Kenora area.
Monteith notes the move will help in their discussions for a replacement school for Valleyview Public in Kenora.
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