Page 1 of 5 I Department File Ref: 1312sso3s I Briefing Note The Honourable John-Paul Langbroek MP Minister for Education, Training and Employment jAction required: For approval I Action required by: ASAP Critical - in order to meet the Minister's commitment to inform the community of the outcome of his decision regarding this proposed school closure, in a timely manner. SUBJECT: CONSULTATION FINDINGS REGARDING VIABILITY OF FORTITUDE VALLEY STATE SCHOOL Summary of key objectives • A report detailing the findings of the community consultation regarding the proposed closure of Fortitude Valley State School (SS) has been compiled by independent consultants, JTA Australia, for the Minister's consideration (Attachment 1). • The Department has reviewed the consultant's report regarding the viability of Fortitude Valley SS, prepared a summary of the findings and made a recommendation regarding the future of the school for the Minister's consideration (Attachment 2). • The Minister is required to make a determination regarding the proposed closure of Fortitude Valley SS. Key issues 1. In May 2013 the Minister approved eight state schools to proceed to community consultation regarding proposed closure, as a result of the Department's 2013 School Viability Assessment process. 2. These schools were Charlton State School, Everton Park State High School, Fortitude Valley State School, Nyanda State High School, Old Yarranlea State School, Stuart State School, Toowoomba South State School and Wyreema State School. 3. As is required under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (the Act). the Minister approved the gazettal of these proposed school closures. The public notice was published in the Government Gazette on 10 May 2013. 4. Community consultation is also a requirement under the Act. 5. The Department engaged an independent consultant, JTA Australia, to lead and manage the consultation process in each school community. 6. The consultation period ran from 3 May 2013 until 26 July 2013, with a total of four consultation meetings held in the Fortitude Valley SS community with key stakeholders and interest groups. 7. Community members were also invited to submit written submissions to a departmental email address ([email protected]), or to the consultant's designated email address ([email protected]. au) . 8. A total of.· ~94Written submissions were received as part of the consultation process for Fortitude \/alley SS. 9. The majority of written submissions expressed opposition to the proposed closure of Fortitude Valley SS. DETE RTI Application 340/5/3062 - File A - Document 1 of 13 Page 2 of 5 1L-.; D::;.;e:c:p.::.:.art.:::.:m.:;:e;.;,:nt.;..F::.;:He:...:.R.::::e:.:..f; ----L- ___ !lf.? 65Q~5 J 10. JTA Australia submitted a consultation report regarding Fortitude Valley SS to the Department for the Minister's consideration on 2 August 2013. 11. As per the attached Summary of Consultation Findings (Attachment 2), the key issues identified during consultation were: • Future residential development and potential forecast enrolment growth; • The location of the site and its outside school hours care (OSHC) facility had particular appeal to families in transit to and from work; • Difficulties in accessing transport to alternative schools; • Alternative options to school closure including a partial land sale and partnerships with developers. 12. The Department considers that these issues can be addressed, as outlined below and in Attachment 2: • Neighbouring schools have capacity (or the ability to expand) to accommodate students from the Fortitude Valley SS catchment; • The school and its OSHC facility currently cater for a high number of families living out of catchment- e.g. 68% of students enrolled in the school do not live within the catchment. There are OSHC options at alternative state schools; • The Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) operates buses which connect the Fortitude Valley SS catchment with New Farm SS and Brisbane Central SS , along with other alternative state schools; • While the alternative options are valid, they do not remedy the viability issues that the school has been experiencing over a long period. Communications 13. If a decision is made to close Fortitude Valley SS a range of resources, including Guidance Officers, will be made available to support students, parents and staff. 14. A communications plan has been developed and communications materials are being prepared to support an announcement regarding the decision on the proposed school closure. Financial implications 15. Should the Minister approve Fortitude Valley SS for closure, all current students at the time of the announcement (excluding students completing Year 7) would be eligible for a one-off uniform allowance of $350 for their new school. 16. The Department would support current students and families, if required, by subsidising the difference in Student Resource Hire Scheme fees for a one-year period, in cases where the destination school's fees are higher than their current school. 17. The Assistant Director-General Finance and Chief Finance Officer will develop an appropriate internal process to facilitate: • the distribution/allocation of funds for uniforms to eligible parents and families by the end of October; and • if the Student Resource Hire Scheme is higher at the destination school, the difference will be discounted at the time when parents/guardians join the scheme at the new school (for the initial year only). DETE RTI Application 340/5/3062 - File A - Document 2 of 13 P~3of5 I Department File.Ref: --.--..c.. 13/265035 J Transport Assistance 18. Travel af/owances would also be available to eligible students (where applicable) through the Department of Transport and Main Roads' School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS). 19. Under this scheme, state primary students who live more than 3.2km from their nearest state school by shortest trafficable route are eligible for a distance-based transport subsidy. Financially disadvantaged students (who live within these distances) may also be eligible for further STAS allowances. 20. If the distance to the nearest school is less than 3.2km, students will not be eligible for the transport subsidy. 21. Also. it should be noted that students, who choose a destination school which is not within their revised catchment area, may not be eligible for the STAS allowance as this subsidy is provided for students to access their closest state school 22. Regions, affected schools and destination schools will be provided with revised catchment maps to assist students and families to identify the appropriate school for each student. Student Support & Transition 23. Education Queensland has developed a template for Individual Student Transition Plans, for schools approved for closure. 24. Students and parents will be supported through the use of Individual Student Transition Plans to identify which school will best meet and support the student's educational needs. 25. It is anticipated that in most cases, the student will be able to enrol in their neighbouring school of choice. However, due to individual student schooling history, there may be a small number of students who will not be able to be accommodated at the school of their choice. In these cases, school staff will work with the student/family to negotiate an alternative school. Staff Support & Transition 26. The Assistant Director-General Human Resources is ensuring necessary communications and procedures are in place to assist school principals, teachers and other school staff through the provision of additional HR support in any school approved for closure, including additional guidance officer hours and Teacher Relief Scheme (TRS) 27. Regional Human Resource staff will work individually with all staff members through relocation/transfer and other staffing issues. The Employee Assistance Service (EAS) will also be available to staff. Other 28. Should the Minister determine that Fortitude Valley SS will close, it is recommended the Minister write letters to key stakeholders to formally advise them of his decision, including the Principal , P&C Association President, State MP and local Councillor/Mayor. Draft template letters have been prepared for this purpose (Attachment 3) . 29. If the Minister approves the closure of Fortitude Valley SS, there will be a need to monitor student relocation enrolment choices as the neighbouring primary schools have limited building platforms and could require redevelopment and the provision of hire and/or relocatable facilities. The funding requirement is unknown at this time. 30. If required, these relocatable or hire buildings wou ld be able to be delivered in time for the start of Term 1, 2014. DETE RTI Application 340/5/3062 - File A - Document 3 of 13 31. The Department has met the requirements of Chapter 2, Part 3 of the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 to publish a notice about this proposed school closure in the Government Gazette and carry out adequate consultation, on behalf of the Minister, with the school community. Furthermore, should the school be approved for closure, it will occur more than six months from the publication of the proposed closure in the Government Gazette. 32. The Department has recently reviewed and revised its School Closure Checklist, a comprehensive document that outlines the various operational action items, roles and responsibilities associated with the closure of state schools. Should the Minister approve this school for closure, the School Closure Checklist will be distributed to relevant officers for completion. Background 33. On 3 May 2013, the Minister for Education, Training and Employment, announced that consultation would occur regard ing the proposed closure of eight state schools, including Fortitude Valley SS. 34 . The schools identified were proposed for closure in line with the criteria contained in the Department's School Viability Assessment procedure. in particular the enrolment and accessibility criteria. 35. Fortitude Valley SS has experienced low and declining enrolments for at least the past five years and relatively low enrolment numbers are anticipated in the medium to long term. 36 .