Edmonton Public Schools
Board Policies and Regulations

The Board believes that the closure of schools is an important consideration in ensuring the responsible use of the resources placed in its trust; making efficient use of the District's school space; and safeguarding the health and safety of students, staff, and the public.

SCOPE AND AUTHORITY
The authority of the Board is derived from the School Act and the Alberta Closure of Schools Regulation, which say that the Board of Trustees may:
close a school permanently or for a specified period of time, or
close entirely three or more consecutive grades in a school, or
transfer all students from one school building to one or more other school buildings on a permanent basis.

The process for closure of schools under this authority is explained in section C, Process for School Closure.
The Board authorizes the administration, under the direction of the Superintendent of Schools and with consultation as determined by the Alberta Closure of Schools Regulation to:
close or permanently relocate fewer than three consecutive grades in a school, or
temporarily relocate any number of grades from one school to another.

The process for this shall be in accordance with the Alberta Closure of Schools Regulation, which says that, the Board will convene an information meeting with parents of the students affected by the transfer and the alternative arrangements for continuing the education program at another school.
Discontinuance or relocation of a regular program or an alternative program or a special needs program, is not a school closure. The process for discontinuance or relocation of an alternative program is addressed in HA.BP - Student Programs.

CRITERIA FOR RECOMMENDING SCHOOL CLOSURE
Before recommending the closure of a school to the Board of Trustees, the Administration will develop viability benchmarks and school profiles through the Ten-Year Facilities Plan and will consider all of the following criteria:
the educational impact on students in the school;
the enrolment of the school and programs within the school;
the population and demographic data;
the amount and cost of excess space in the school;
the cost to staff and operate the educational program at the school;
the cost to maintain the facility in operable condition or to restore the facility to operable condition;
the location and accessibility of the school and the proximity of other schools;
the necessity to safeguard the health and safety of students, staff, and public;
the need to consolidate or relocate existing programs;
the impact of closing the school on the community taking into account existing or proposed development plans.

PROCESS FOR SCHOOL CLOSURE
The process for closure will be in accordance with the School Act and Alberta Closure of Schools Regulation.
A process for school closure flow chart is provided for reference. In case of conflict between this policy and the flow chart, the policy shall prevail.