The COVID-19 pandemic confirmed that
not all Toronto District School Board (TDSB) employees need to be physically
present at a TDSB building to fulfill their job responsibilities and deliver
services. As such, TDSB has begun the process of an Administrative Site Review.
Once the Administrative Site Review recommendations are implemented, there will
be three core administrative sites, five facility administrative sites, and a
professional learning facility, for a total of nine sites.
The administrative site consolidation
will contribute millions of dollars to school revitalization to address
the renewal and program needs at all TDSB schools.
Background
The Board of
Trustees passed a motion on October 21, 2020, that staff reports back on
timelines for determining the following administrative or facility site space
requirements:
- Administrative
and facility site requirements
- Research
on best practices in both public and private sectors
- Value
of current administrative or facility sites
- Accommodation
options to support administrative or facility site requirements
- Use
of school space for administrative functions
- Financial
considerations including operating efficiencies
- Fully
accessible work locations
The TDSB has two types
of non-school sites in its property inventory: those sites that are
administrative (i.e., office space) and those that are facility services in
nature (i.e., maintenance centres, garages, and warehouses). As each type of
property has different operating characteristics and requirements, they will be
looked at separately.
We have established an Administrative
Site Review Steering Committee to examine all aspects related to the current
number of TDSB worksites to identify the efficient use of those buildings and
offices. This review includes looking at the most effective ways to deliver
services, the flexibility and reduction of staff commuting time, and balancing
the benefits of working remotely with the need for in person activities. The
Board’s Mission and Multi-Year Strategic priorities will also help to frame
this review to ensure effective and efficient service to students, schools, and
communities is at the focus and centre of all that we do. We will continue to
maintain and improve services across the Board throughout the process of this
multi-year project. This comprehensive review will assist the TDSB to determine
whether there are current TDSB buildings, or spaces, that may no longer be
required.
A report to Board was presented in
October 2022; however, implementing such recommendations will not begin until
2023.
Implementing the Administrative Site Review
recommendations is a significant multi-year project, with work beginning in
2023. The key
milestones of the project, are as follows:
- Board Approval – October 26, 2022
- Finalize flexible work procedure –
January 2023
- Finalize floorplans – December 2023
- Construction starts – June 2024
- Surplus property declaration –
September 2025
- Completion of Construction – September
2028
While this project requires a
significant investment, it will reduce the administrative space needs, create a
flexible work environment in the remaining space to accommodate a collaborative
work environment, and attract and maintain an administrative team focused on
services to students, schools, and the community.
The estimated Proceeds of Disposition
(POD) of $76.2M - $114.1M from the administrative site consolidation will
significantly contribute to the comprehensive school revitalization plan
currently being developed. This multi-year school revitalization plan intends
to address the renewal and program needs at all TDSB schools, and POD from this
project will be an important component of funding to this plan. In addition,
this implementation will create more room in the operating budget to support
schools and students.
The full Administrative
Site Review Report
,
including recommendations and findings, is publicly available for your review.