Newly hired Toronto District School Board director Chris Spence is urging the board to make boys a priority to boost their skills and lower their dropout rate. He also has ideas for fundraising and redevelopment projects (TDSB HANDOUT PHOTO).
Name: Chris Spence
Position: Director, Toronto District School Board
Notoriety: Former CFL player who has made mentoring boys a trademark of his career as he moved from teacher to director of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.
Profile: Toronto hired him in Spring 2009 after a year-long search.
A Vision of Hope!
In "A Vision Of Hope!" – an ambitious report based on 200 meetings with staff and community members – Spence is calling for more single-sex classes, programs and even schools.
DIRECTOR WANTS WIRELESS SCHOOLS
He sees every school as wireless by 2015.
He wants 20 per cent fewer students suspended each year.
And education director Chris Spence will unveil eight different reviews of schools next week in areas where declining enrolment is a problem – and will consider four more in January.
The new plan, unveiled Tuesday, October 20 2009 by the new director of the Toronto District School board, has ideas for saving money, connecting with parents and helping struggling students – especially boys – to catch up.
Among his goals:
- Review 35 schools in eight neighbourhoods with declining enrolment, giving priority to keeping schools that have kindergarten to Grade 8, rather than middle or junior high schools;
- Launch five "redevelopment projects" with mixed use of school property to generate capital funding;
- Hire a marketing director to boost enrolment, including a drive to recruit more fee-paying international students;
- Reduce violent incidents by 20 per cent;
- Establish a Parent Academy, similar to one in Miami, where parents can receive training in a range of subjects;
- Install solar energy systems on up to 20 schools each year.
