June 17, 2020-Trustees of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board are rewriting history through an unprecedented and unanimous decision authorizing Senior Administration to proceed with repurposing the facility formerly known as Quinte Secondary School.
Involving Bayside, Belleville and Trenton area schools, the Quinte Secondary School Revitalization Plan was approved at a public Special Board Meeting earlier today. The plan, which has multiple components and affects many aspects of programming and Board operations, includes the following:
- offers enhanced student learning opportunities, including the creation of a dedicated French Immersion K-8 school;
- addresses existing Belleville, Bayside and Trenton area school capacity concerns;
- consolidates three HPEDSB operational facilities, including the Ann Street Education Centre, the W.R. Kirk Alternative Education Centre and maintenance office, and the G. Umb maintenance shops;
- re-opens Quinte Secondary School;
- reviews unique school-based programming across the district; and
- achieves operational and financial efficiencies.
The Quinte Secondary School Revitalization Plan is the product and outcome of many months of discussion and planning by the Board's senior staff, beginning early in the fall of 2019.
"As Chair of the Board and also as a longer-term trustee, I am proud and inspired by this strategic and inspiring step the Board is taking. Doing something this big and bold requires taking a risk and takes courage. We, as 10 trustees, are taking this step today," said Lucille Kyle, Chair of the Board.
The work will begin now that the proposal has been received and approved by the Board. This step coincides with work the Board is currently undertaking to develop a new 5-year strategic plan and HPEDSB corporate re-branding.
"In my experience there are two kinds of organizations: those which allow things to happen and are defined by events around them, and those which make things happen and define themselves by confronting their challenges and take advantage of their opportunities. The Trustees have given the Senior Administration a mandate to proceed and bring to life their dream of a renewed HPEDSB. I am proud to be part of it," said Sean Monteith, Director of Education.
Monteith said extensive community consultation will occur before final plans are operationalized. More will be shared in the coming months.
Quinte Secondary School was closed in June 2018 as a result of an accommodation review that recommended consolidating it with Eastside Secondary School (formerly Moira Secondary School).
Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) serves approximately 15,000 students each day at 40 schools (33 elementary, one K-12; four 7-12 and two secondary). Supporting student achievement is the goal of approximately 1,800 teaching and support staff who, in addition to the contributions of caring volunteers and community partners, share their passion for teaching and learning. The district covers a wide geographic area of 7,220 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south and Quinte West to the west.
Contact
Kerry Donnell, Communications & Public Relations Manager, [email protected], 613.966.1170, extension 62354