Board chair worries about inequity in programming

The chair of Hamilton’s public school board is questioning a push to more than double the number of Grade 11 and 12 students in programs that provide hands-on training in fields such as business, hospitality, the arts and construction.

Todd White says he’s concerned letting schools submit applications for the Special High Skills Major programs of their choice will see certain ones concentrated in some areas.

That goes against a secondary school program strategy adopted four years ago that aimed to distribute the majors across all high schools to ensure equal access, White says.

A staff report recently presented to trustees shows 43 of 817 students enrolled in 26 programs this year lived outside of the host school’s boundary.

The Ministry of Education has set a goal of having 25 per cent of all grade 11 and 12 students take Specialist High Skills Majors. About 10 per cent of eligible board students currently do so. The provincial average is 14 per cent.

The staff report proposes to allow schools to apply for new programs, which require ministry approval, as long as they don’t need major renovations or detract from existing programs.

Program committee chair Dawn Danko said the staff plan keeps existing programs in place and considers student interest when offering new ones that don’t require much money.

The board is seeking ministry approval for six new specialist programs this fall, including transportation at Dundas Valley, Glendale and Nora Henderson.