New staffing model for residence of Newfoundland School for the Deaf

Advancements in technology such as cochlear implants and trends for students to study in their home communities have dramatically decreased enrolment levels at the Newfoundland School for the Deaf. This led to the Department of Education reviewing staffing requirements and conducting a full consultation with parents, teachers, administrators and staff.

As a result, the department is introducing a new staffing model for the school�s residence that will more accurately reflect the student population and the periods when the residence is in use. Students live in residence 190 days � the number of school days across the province. However, staff are currently employed for 12 months. The staffing model will now coincide with the school year.

Education Minister Joan Burke took the opportunity to assure parents, students and teachers of the NSD that government remains committed to the school. �I want to be clear that this change in staffing in no way affects the students who live in residence,� said Minister Burke. �These students return to their homes on weekends and during summer holidays. They will therefore not be inconvenienced in any way. Staff are simply not required when there are no students in the residence.�

The minister noted that the residence was built to accommodate 90 students; there are now only 12 students living there with 34 support staff. This represents a 3:1 staff to student ratio. The decline in enrolment is in keeping with an overall decline in the student population, as well as advancements in technology, such as cochlear implants and a trend for students to stay at home and attend their own community schools. �Enrolment decline is difficult for all sectors of the education system. The School for the Deaf is no exception. However, I can guarantee the parents that the residence will continue to operate and offer the full range of services to the students,� said the minister.

For some time, the school community has realized that the staffing levels do not reflect the number of students living in residence. An independent report conducted by Deloitte Touche in 2002 recommended a 10-month operation for the residence and a review of staffing requirements. The 2004 Report of the Auditor General pointed to an over-allocation of staff.

In consultation with the Public Service Commission, the department is declaring 28 full-time employees redundant. The department will work with the Newfoundland Association of Public Employees to address the status of these workers in keeping with the current collective agreement.

�The School for the Deaf is a remarkable facility. Students receive the highest quality education there and will continue to do so. And while there may be some job losses associated with this change, government will work with the union and the school to ensure students continue to receive the same level of care and services while living in residence,� said Minister Burke.

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-0048, 689-2624

BACKGROUNDER

About 400 deaf and hard of hearing children are integrated into their schools throughout the province. These children function orally and receive additional services from 16 itinerant teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing. Other deaf students require specialized teaching services (such as being taught American Sign Language), which they receive at the Newfoundland School for the Deaf (NSD). Some of the NSD�s rural students, who are aged between 10 and 21 years old, reside at the school during the school week and return home for the weekend and other breaks. There is no fee charged to parents for the residency or transportation.

Over the past several months, the department has conducted a review of the residence. Analysis included: a study of enrolment projections; an examination of specific needs and staffing requirements to meet those needs; a financial review; a review of residential service delivery models for deaf students in other jurisdictions; and an examination of home care programs for children with other special needs in this province. Consultants from the Department of Education also carried out interviews with parents of residence students by visiting them in their home communities. Two independent consultants met with staff and community advocacy groups.

2006 08 08                                    12:15 p.m.