Every year, the Vancouver School Board (VSB) updates its Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP). QEA PAC monitors these updates, and we support long range planning as essential to manage demand and Vancouver’s school assets — when based on current and upcoming plans and transparent enrollment projections.
In January 2021, QEA PAC presented to the Vancouver Board of Education (VBE) Trustees’ Facilities Committee. Here is the information we shared:
On October 28th, 2019 Vancouver Board of Education (VBE) Trustees voted not to proceed with the closure of Queen Elizabeth Annex (QEA). The VSB is working on their next Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP).
We encourage all QEA families to get involved in the VSB’s Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP) process.
Trustees, VSB staff, QEA and JQ parents, and the wider community all raised excellent questions during the QEA closure consideration. We believe the best place to address many of these issues is the LRFP, and not via one-off closure considerations.
Transparent growth projections that look at future growth – the West Side is already one of Vancouver’s fastest growing areas for families, and there are many large-scale developments on the horizon. VSB’s growth projections need to take this into account
The future of French Immersion in Vancouver – how does VSB plan on meeting demand for French Immersion in the West Side and across the city?
The future of Annexes in Vancouver – Annexes can provide an essential role in meeting a diverse range of needs that can’t be met in a large school. Clarifying their role and purpose would remove the target on Annexes whenever a budget issue is raised.
Investment in QEA – QEA has fantastic grounds and provides an ideal outdoor environment for learning. If allowed to open an after-school care facility in one of the empty classrooms, QEA would really thrive. Why not seismically upgrade the gym and get QEA off the seismic list? What investments could make QEA a better asset for the VSB?
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What questions would you like to see considered by the LRFP? Get involved, and we will add updates here as we hear about opportunities for public engagement.