The Truth About Why Closing PCVS Would Be A Huge Blow To Our Community
Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 11:43AM 
THE PHILLIPS REPORTOnce again the public, and private, discussions about the closing of a Peterborough high school have sunk into anecdote and vitriol. Virtually all of the discussion surrounds loyalties—neighbourhood, school, alumni—or mythical nostalgia. As the final decision by the publically elected Board at the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) approaches, it is time to refocus the discussion on financial and economic realities.
Before addressing these issues, it is important consider the role of the Board and the role of its senior management. The Board is elected to see that the KPRDSB has the strategies, policies, facilities, finances, and administration are in place so that the organization—overseen by the senior managers it employs—can provide the best education possible given the resources. Importantly, the Board is responsible to its funders—property taxpayers (residential and business) in Peterborough and the taxpayers of Ontario. The Board’s senior administration must take these resources and deliver the required educational services. There is a clear distinction between the role of the publically elected Board and the role of the administrative staff it employs.
The Board now finds itself in a position where the facts show that there is declining enrolment in Peterborough high schools and more schools than are necessary to deliver its educational services. With very similar education services being delivered at the existing schools for several decades, it is difficult to argue that one fewer high school would put the Board in a position where it would be unable to fulfill its mandate.
In financial terms, declining high school enrolment and an abundance of property and facilities puts the Board in a position where it has the opportunity to consolidate its operations, sell some valuable property, and use the funds to deliver educational services, and, perhaps, provide taxpayers with some relief from ever-increasing educational property taxes.
After the contentious review process was completed, I was pleased to see that the Board added its offices to be part of the mix. With little commercial land available in the industrial parks in the City, the Board could sell its property (a value in the millions of dollars) in the industrial park and consolidate its operations in an existing high school. This is a creative response to a complex decision. However, after this creative financial option was offered by the Board, the pubic debate became increasingly entrenched in anything but the financial, economic, and administrative realities.
In economic terms, the issue centers on the future of PCVS. Beyond the issues of its property value (which is the lowest—according to Board’s own property evaluations—of all the properties being considered, and the least likely to lower education property taxes), the significance of the school in terms of its value to the community and its role in economic development were practically ignored. Many of the initiatives to renew and expand the infrastructures of the downtowns of Ontario communities are to increase, not decrease, the downtown’s population density. More importantly, a high school in the downtown represents a source of current and future creative talent.
Just over 100 kilometres from downtown Peterborough, at the University of Toronto, is an internationally recognized leader in economic development—Richard Florida. His research describes the significance of the "creative class" and its ability to interact at a social level in city cores as a key contributor to local economic growth. Even with him being an advisor on economic growth to the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, it seems as though his message is more readily heard further away, rather than closer to home.
There is little doubt that a downtown high school contributes in many ways to the economic development of a city. I have yet to come across any evidence, from Richard Florida’s point of view, or any other approach to economic development that would suggest that removing a downtown school would contribute to a community’s economic development in a positive way.
Basically, as much as there are compelling, anecdotal and nostalgic arguments to close PCVS, there is little substance—financial, economic, or administrative—to the arguments. This must be recognized as the Board’s takes its decision.
Earlier this year, I was given the opportunity to present this case in a ten minute presentation to the KPRDSB’s Accommodation Review Committee (ARC). After that presentation, I was given some feedback from a member of the committee that my presentation would have had more credibility if I had not been, "clearly," a PCVS alumnus and supporter.
On that point, I need to set the record straight. I did graduate from PCVS. However, I disliked high school immensely. In hindsight, my five years of high school were insignificant given my subsequent academic pursuits. The fact that those five years were spent at PCVS has nothing to with the case I am making. My position comes from my community and professional perspective, not a nostalgic view. I trust that the Board’s decision will be made in the same spirit.
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[Contributed by PtboCanada's Tom Phillips Ph. D. Phillips is Economist & Sustainability Director - Greater Ptbo Innovation Cluster.]
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KPRDSB, PCVS, Richard Florida, Tom Phillips, school closures in Arts, Downtown, Economy, Education, Health, Politics
Reader Comments (19)
As a parent, I do not send my son to a public school, high school, college or university to support someone's business or downtown. Keeping a 100 year old school because of sentimentality, so called inner city locale, and supposedly economic impact to list a few and close the biggest, most modern facility KPRDSB owns does not make any sense. An inner city school is the last place I will send my son to be educated.
Economic development is up to city government, business owners, not educators
I relocated just down the road from TASS with the belief that my son would one day attend this fantastic school.
A response to the above comment: I don't really want to argue about anything you said except "an inner-city school is the last place I will send my son to be educated". What does the location of the school have to do with the quality of the education it offers? Does the fact that the school is downtown mean something that I don't know? Is is because "inner-city" has become synonymous with poor? I'm lost, here.
I'd like to extend an invitation to C. Nadeau for a tour of PCVS. I, like the above commenter, have no idea how being "inner-city" has anything to do with the school other than its location. It sounds like you are making assumptions about the school only based on driving past it, and never actually stepping foot in the school as it is functioning.
Personally, I think this process has been done all wrong, pitting school vs. school, and that should not have been the point of the ARC process. I don't know how the process could be changed but something needs to if there ever is a need for another one.
And just for the record, I feel it should be neither TASSS or PCVS that should close, but that's just my opinion.
@C. Nadeau - what exactly are you trying to say about PCVS and the students who go there? Do you think they're poor or perhaps less educated than the other schools? Is it too close to the downtown so that it must be dirty or rundown? What is it about Armour Road and TASS that makes it the best school?
I spent my four years of high school at PCVS and I wouldn't trade those years for the world. A couple of years before I attended they attempted to close the school but the PCVS community rallied together and the school was thankfully saved. I was part of the very first group of students to go through the Integrated Arts program, a program which still runs today and that I believe has kept enrollment numbers up at PCVS, which is more than I can say about TASS and its dwindling enrollment. Guess not everyone is moving near TASS so that their kids can attend there, are they??
It's funny how the PCVS community has once again come together to protest the possible closure of their school...right from the beginning, yet where was the TASS community? I didn't seem to see them or hear anything from them until it was announced they were possibly on the chopping block. Too little, too late, I'd say.
It's about programs not buildings which can be relocated to another school. TASSS was originally built as two seperate schools in one building. It's time to revisit this idea again. PCVS has no future as the building itself is decaying and it is not worth restoring as a school. Where are the green spaces for the students???? The building cannot be expanded as it is closed in. As for the downtown losing business, that is just hypothetical nonsense. There are other students besides PCVS students who visit the downtown area during the course of the day. Convert PCVS to apartments just like the old St. Peter's school. PCVS cannot be called an Arts School as they lack any commitment to music; they only have drama and visual arts. Time to put the old gal to rest.
I don't think anything about keeping PCVS open is about 'nostalgia'. If anything, it's about culture. I live just a few blocks away from PCVS and bare witness to all that it offers on a daily basis. It's not as simple as keeping businesses open, though that's certainly part of it. It's also about keeping our downtown parks vibrant and clean. It's about open bike lanes and accessibility and making our downtown about more than bars and restaurants. The PCVS community contributes beauty and care and attention that this neighbourhood would not recieve if there weren't kids in it. It's about contribution and identity and just giving a shit about something bigger than one's self. It's about all of the reasons we have kids and want kids in our lives.
My kids go to Adam Scott (also on the chopping block) because we're a bilingual household and that's the school that does French. If PCVS offererd FI, I would send them there in a heartbeat. I think it's incredibly myopic to close any school (population is going to grow anyway), but I would much rather see TASSS or ASCVI go than PCVS. PCVS is a cornerstone of the community. That's not nostalgia or buildings. That's the reality of creating community. Closing it is akin to closing Peterborough Square or Market Hall or Crary Park.
I am unsure that I agree with any attempts to not close a school because "the population will grow again anyway"; I've not seen any study which suggests that--in fact, just the opposite. Populations are declining, as North Americans are, on the whole, having fewer children per family. And, if Peterborough specifically has a population growth, it will be from people moving here...and that particular growth is happenin in the North end, so in the case of that argument, TASS is certainly the wrong school to close. Over the years, the Board has systematically closed all the downtown area schools, with the exception of PC; I'd say that sweeps several arguments under the table as for location, historic value, community, since none of those reasons held water with any of the other closures. TASS is the largest, most modern high school with the best facilities. Now that the feasability report is out, the Board won't be moving to TASS. Structurally sound, I'd hate to see it be sold off while other schools needing extensive (and expensive) repairs remain (and drain the coffers). The decision is, happily, out of my hands. No matter the decision, there will be groups of extremely unhappy and loud people.
To J. Little
I would first like to state that your comment above has infuriated me. It is clear that you are uneducated in anything about PCVS, and therefore have no right to make the accusations that you have. I however, being a PCVS grad, know a great deal more than you on the subject. I'm not sure where you got the idea that the building is "decaying." This is not just an extreme exaggeration, but it is completely WRONG! PCVS is a functioning, safe and structurally stable building. The building may be old, but that does not mean that it is falling apart, also, why would you make a "decaying" building into apartments? That is simply illogical. I also don't understand your point about the school being too worthless to be restored (if it shall ever need such a large restoration). Perhaps you have not been aware of the incredible local support there is to keep PCVS open. Or the fact that I, and many others have had a wonderful high school career at PCVS, and that I have not met anyone who said they did not enjoy their time attending the school. I would also like to mention that PCVS is known to have students transfer from other high schools for being bullied or teased. I think that these reasons are definitely reason enough. I also don't understand this idea that PCVS should stay open just for "nostalgia" or "sentimentality." What's more important is its historical significance. The school has been around for a long time, and while it is nice to keep it open for that reason, it also means that it has lasted this long. You also asked where the green spaces for students were. This question suggests to me that you have not ever been to PCVS, because if you have, you would notice the park right in front of it. In the warmer months, this is where students go to eat lunch, or to study during spare periods. On the topic of playing fields; Nicholl's Oval is only about ten minutes away from the school, which acts as a great warm-up jog before gym class or practice, so there should be no argument on this point. You pointed out that it would be "hypothetical nonsense" for downtown businesses to suffer if the school would close. I agree that others do support the downtown businesses, but why would stores and restaurants post signs in their windows stating that "closing PCVS means closing doors of downtown businesses" if they thought it would not affect them? I think business owners know more about this than you do.
Your last argument about PCVS's Arts Program particularly angered me, and I am sure, many others. You have no right to make those accusations about something you know nothing about. You said that PCVS has no musical commitment. I am unaware of how you came upon this idea. I, myself, was an Integrated Arts student majoring in music. I greatly enjoyed my time in that program and learned a great deal, as did my classmates, some of whom have gone to study music at a post-secondary level. The school also offers not only music classes for IA students, but also for the mainstream students who may have not learned to play an instrument before. PCVS has a number of extracurricular music programs as well, including a jazz band, flute choir, recording club and a symphonic band who just this past year, travelled to Chicago to compete. The school also offers a number of very successful vocal choirs. Of course, none of this would be possible without the support and commitment of the students, but also of the fantastic music instructors PCVS has. You also just quickly stated that PCVS only has drama and visual art, which again is incorrect. This past year PCVS has added dance to the IA program, and it has been very successful. I would also like to stress the fact that the arts are important, unlike what your comment suggests. Yes, we can be called an Arts School.
On a last note I would like to say that PCVS is at capacity, unlike TASSS, and should not even be being considered for closure. The increase in students applying to PCVS is far greater than it is at TASSS. To me, this demonstrates that the students have decided which school they want to stay open.
I'm not really interested in the economic impact of the downtown. Many people in this community believe the DBIA has too much control in our city, and now we see it in school board matters.
This is not about selling a building to reduce taxes. The board is funded based on the number of enrolled students. Selling a building does not change that at all.
Merging two schools, however negative it may seem, has a great benefit for the students in the end - increased program offerings. As someone who attended a vary small, rural high school, I know first hand that lower enrollments means less course selection. The vision outlined by the Put Students First coalition is solution focused, offers benefits for all impacted students and doesn't further the "don't close my school" mentality that's so rampant. http://www.putstudentsfirst.ca
Former PCVS students have stated that they were bullied at this so called school of acceptance because they were not a part of the Arts program. This school is not any safer or more accepting than any other schools in the area.
Emma C: Well said! I too majored in music during my time at PCVS...two years of instrumental music and two years of vocal. I also took four years of Drama and I even took an art class...Ceramics. I took courses I never would have dreamed of taking and I loved them and never felt embarrassed by my lack of ability in the non-music classes.
I love how the "Put Students First" group is trying to put themselves forth as the "best plan" out there. Seems to me that it's a good plan for the TASS students but not the PCVS students. And again, I ask...where were all the TASS supporters during this process? Seems to me they only came out of the woodwork once they realized TASS was on the chopping block. PCVS was there from the beginning, showing support for their school.
It amazes me how people with little to no accurate information feel that they can post their opinions as "facts" on public websites! The heart of the matter before the board is excess numbers of student spaces due to declining enrollments. TASSS has the most excess student space, a large portion ot the building is mothballed. Sealed up. It costs more than PCVS per sq. ft. to maintain, it has higher capital costs for the future, will cost twice as much as PCVS to make it accessible, it has a seriously declining enrollment in a catchment area with no projected new growth. All other schools are in projected growth areas, including PCVS. I cannot believe the ignorance of some of those posting here, and in other media, with suggestions such as a building in "decay". Indeed PCVS must be one of the most well maintained, beautiful buiildings in the heart of our city! Have you ever even stepped inside? If any school in this city commands respect from students it is this one! This school offers full programming in all areas, has the same number of sports teams as any other high school, and guess what, even has rivers for outdoor study!
There were rational reasons that the ARC review led senior staff to suggest the best option was closing TASSS. No doubt none of these people bothered with attending those meetings or gathering any relevant information, and resort to rumours and mean spirited jabs at PCVS once they realized it wasn't chosen as the first choice school for closure. To hear some of the comments regarding a "downtown" school I would be glad if those with such attitudes didn't send their kids!
All through this process there has been great community support for PCVS. As stated above it is only after their surprise that it wasn't chosen that the small group of TASSS supporters have loudly announced their dismay. If you doubt the community support, just as one small indicator, the Peterborough Needs PCVS facebook page has over 2300 supporters, whereas the TASSS group "Put Students First Coalition" has 110.
It doesn't matter how many supporters there are, or when they appeared, it comes down to what's the best decision. It's not a popularity contest, and it's not about having support of local businesses. Merging two schools to create a new school, with a new identity and more offerings, is a great idea. That's the idea I'm behind.
No the building for PCVS is not falling down. However, it is old, not wheel chair accessible, air conditioned. Has no sport fields or track and is land locked. I know it is a beautiful building and part of Peterborough's culture. It should be made into a museum. This building is at capacity. So what if they need more room for these wonderful programs? Ya, you spend money downtown. If our "downtown" businesses are that dependent on 850 kids between the ages of 14 and 18, I am sorely worried for them. Really how much money do 850 kids of this age pour into the economy of downtown Peterborough. If my child was attending he or she would have no money to be spent outside the needs of educational supplies.
I think this is a terrible state, to have one school pitted against another. But to hold on to a school building that is already at capacity to the extent that it has to turn away potential students for certain programs, just to help appease a strong wealthy alumni and the state of downtown businesses? The solution is to move the programs to an existing modern building with room to grow. The downtown will survive without these kids parents money.
Having spent time in a number of different schools over the past few years I can tell you that putting more bums in seats does not improve the education for students. A class of 35 may receive more funding than a class of 20, but rarely better learning. If we are truly interested in putting students first than closing any of these schools is ludicrous. Instead, creating more options to move between schools, to find a combination of programming that will actually appeal to the individual student is what is needed. This is done quite regularly already by many students yet it doesn't seem to be discussed anywhere. PCVS has programming, such as Theater in the Community and the United Nations, that routinely pull students into the school for short periods of time. I am sure the other schools have similar programs. If a student cannot get what they need at one school they should be welcomed into another school that provides for that need, instead of facing bureaucratic nightmares. These schools should be working together to provide top interdisciplinary education to all students in the KPRDSB.
I believe that high school education is something that is worth spending money on, and worth doing right. Given the responses it is clearly something many people are extremely passionate about. I would like to see any statistic that shows that larger schools provide better overall education. I will be shocked if such a statistic can be found. Housing students in massive institutions leaves them unconnected and unengaged in their own education. PCVS is a clear example of a small school that has an incredibly strong community and an engaged student body. Unless I am very much mistaken with the intentions of education I believe it is the goal of school to produce precisely this kind of social awareness and motivation. Why are we moving toward a model of alienation.
I am appalled at the pitting of school against school. Each of these schools has a personality and programming that the students there find worthwhile. As parents, educator, students, and human beings, we should be supportive of each others educational needs. The Arts are worthwhile. The automotive and shop classes are worthwhile. Having access to education in both official languages and to those with disabilities is worthwhile. No student will benefit from the closing of one of these schools.
The idea that programming will improve with larger student bodies is laughable, programming is being cut and sidelined over and over again in favour of other costs (such as holding costly school closure debates every few months). I put forward a call to reevaluate what we want from our high schools, to reject the idea that a massive conglomerate school are an answer to dwindling population. The logic simply escapes me.
Times have changed...we need to adapt.
I believe the School Board made the right decision.. I have a daughter who graduated from PCVI and one who graduated from TASSS...they both have fond memories of their highschool days.
I am sure the downtown businesses would still love to showcase local art, no matter where is it created.
If we could remove all the publicity nonsense.,, Really??? Trying to pit school against school ? Shame on them !
The downtown core is worried about students leaving the area...and now City hall is getting involved, Really? What about Federal Building that is pulling out of the downtown core with 400 or so employees who eat and shop downtown on their lunches. Perhaps City Hall should focus on that issue.
We elected the School Board Trustees and we need to respect their decision.
Regardless of all the other arguements, I'll take a beautiful, unique, historic building over a uninspired grey blob anyday.
This all reminds me of the lyrics "Paved paradise, put up a parking lot"
We all attend schools, but thre's a portion of society that never learns.
Regardless the closures, what is the over all cost of relocating these students.... Community, businesses loyalties are all being stated but what about the Students and their families, the costs of transportation not just the buses but to the tune of $1.20 a liter of fuel families will be put out for having to travel further no school should ever be closed just so trustees and board members can save a buck. You guys want to save money cut your wages down to that of the average middle class families just see how much money is saved probably around your $500,000 a year busing costs. I've never been to ptbo as a matter of fact i was schooled out west never heard of a high school ever closing in fact they moved a grade from high school and opened another two junior high's based on this to make room for more students. This clashing of east west north south crap is all it is CRAP. Stand by your students and the education they deserve and stand against the people looking to keep money in their pockets.
I didn't have the time to read every comment here but what I want to say is the author of the article touched on Richard Florida's concept of the creative class and none of these comments touch on this. I'm not to concerned about what school closes just as long as they offer a creative program for kids who are able to possibly have a future in the arts. Peterborough doesn't have much to offer when it comes to jobs, you can work for the government, work your knuckles to the bone or work for low wages at some chain store. I see the angle they took with the downtown business motive but the program gives this city something to be proud of and provides hope to the students. I'm also sure the return on investment for the city when students make it in that field is beneficial to the city when they buy property worth more than town hall. They should even further develop the program to maybe bring people into the city instead of driving everyone away who is under 60. I bet that would develop te downtown having wealthy families move here because some CEO's child wants to be the next Bieber or someone. I'm not a former or present pcvs student but the programs really what's important here. If this is anything like the meetings they've had about this I hope it's not to late and I better start attending. I could just be wasting my time but I hope they understand the importance of this program heading into the future.