Status: Board Decides Against Closure
At the regular meeting of the Calgary Board of Education Board of Trustees held on June 21, 2022 the Board of Trustees made the decision about the closure of the Discovering Choices Start Outreach – Bowness Westbrook Outreach programs for the purpose of relocation.
The Board Trustees made the decision not to relocate these programs.
At the April 26, 2022 regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of The Calgary Board of Education (CBE), the Board of Trustees (Board) accepted a recommendation from CBE administration to commence the public input process to consider the closure of Discovering Choices Start Outreach - Bowness and Westbrook Outreach Program sites for the purpose of relocation as set out in its Board Policy
GC-3E – Closure of Schools Procedure.
The Board passed the following motions:
- THAT the Board of Trustees is satisfied that there is cause to commence the public input process to consider the closure of the Discovering Choices Start Outreach - Bowness and Westbrook Outreach Program sites for the purpose of relocation in accordance with GC-3E Closure of Schools Procedure.
- THAT the Board of Trustees approves the public input period to consider the closure of the Discovering Choices Start Outreach - Bowness and Westbrook Outreach Program sites for the purpose of relocation be shortened from 60 calendar days to 56 calendar days in accordance with GC-3E Closure of Schools Procedure.
Prior to this decision, CBE administration shared information about this recommendation through email communication and website information as well as hosting virtual public information sessions, staff meetings and discussions with Discovering Choices students. Perspectives were also gathered through online surveys for students, parents and staff in the Discovering Choices Program. For Alternative High School and Robert Thirsk High School, thoughts were shared through school-specific opportunities for staff, students and parents. Recordings of the virtual sessions, survey results and more information is available on this
web page.
The Board of Trustees’ Closure of Schools Procedure (GC-3E) sets out the formal process that must be followed when closure for the purpose of relocation is being considered, prior to the Board making its decision on whether or not to relocate Westbrook Outreach to Alternative High School and START Outreach (Bowness) to Robert Thirsk High School. This location would allow Discovering Choices students to participate in enhanced learning opportunities while also continuing to provide the individualized programming and supports available at the current sites. This includes providing notice to parents and students who are affected by the decision.
Questions and Written Submissions
The Board of Trustees welcome your views and input and invite you to provide comments to them directly at:
BoardofTrustees@cbe.ab.ca, or through administration at the Area 1 Office in writing to:
Attention: Prem Randhawa
Calgary Board of Education
728 – 32 Street N.W. Calgary, AB T2N 2V9
t | 403-777-8710
e |
Area1@cbe.ab.ca
Please note all written submissions must be received by Tuesday, June 14, 2022 for Board of Trustees to give due consideration to the written submissions received prior to making a final decision on the proposed closure. Any questions regarding the Board of Trustees’ consideration of closure for the purpose of relocating Westbrook Outreach and START Outreach may be submitted in writing to
Area1@cbe.ab.ca. There will also be an opportunity to direct questions to CBE administration at the public meetings, and you are invited to do so.
Board Decision
The Board of Trustees will hold a regular scheduled meeting to deliberate and decide on whether or not to close Westbrook Outreach and START for the purpose of relocation. The meeting will be held on:
Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Multipurpose Room, Education Centre, 1221 – 8 Street S.W.
Calgary Members of the public may offer comment at this Board meeting in accordance with the public comment procedure outlined in the
Board Meeting Procedures.
Following the June 21 Board meeting, the Board of Trustees will communicate its final decision, the effective date and any other information relevant to support the implementation of the decision.
Public Input Meeting – START Outreach (Bowness)
The Board of Trustees will hold a public meeting to hear from parents, students and other persons on the proposed closure. At the meeting CBE will share information about the proposed closure for the purpose of relocation including the rationale, the plans for students, and the timing (amongst other things). The meeting will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, May 26, 2022
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Microsoft Teams
Due to COVID-19 and related health measures this meeting will be hosted virtually to minimize in person contact. To participate in this virtual meeting, kindly RSVP providing your first and last name, and email address to BoardofTrustees@cbe.ab.ca by Wednesday, May 25, 2022. A meeting invitation link will be emailed to you in advance of the meeting.
We encourage you to attend this meeting to hear more about the proposed closure for the purpose of relocating START Outreach to Robert Thirsk High School and to share your viewpoints.
Public Input Meeting – Westbrook Outreach
The Board of Trustees will hold a public meeting to hear from parents, students and other persons on the proposed closure. At the meeting CBE will share information about the proposed closure for the purpose of relocation including the rationale, the plans for students, and the timing (amongst other things). The meeting will be held as follows:
Date: Monday, May 30, 2022
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Microsoft Teams
Due to COVID-19 and related health measures this meeting will be hosted virtually to minimize in person contact. To participate in this virtual meeting, kindly RSVP by providing your first and last name, and email address to BoardofTrustees@cbe.ab.ca by Sunday, May 29, 2022. A meeting invitation link will be emailed to you in advance of the meeting.
We encourage you to attend this meeting to hear more about the proposed closure for the purpose of relocating Westbrook Outreach to Alternative High School and to share your viewpoints.
