Heritage schools & the 2017 VSB candidates

Joy Alexander
Vision Vancouver
Yes. It is important, where possible, to retain heritage schools. I was not part of the decision around Kitsilano, Queen Mary or Kitchener but am happy that my colleagues were able to retain heritage aspects in all three buildings. I was part of the decision to retain the “little yellow school house”. The discussion around that building was often seen as a “thorn in people’s thighs” but Penny Noble (with a tiny help from me) persevered and it worked out for the very best in the end.

Carrie Bercic & Erica Jaaf
OneCity
Heritage buildings are important to the history and character of our city and neighborhoods. Our heritage buildings are part of the very fabric of Vancouver. Heritage retention is one of a number of factors trustees will need to consider when looking at each individual site for seismic mitigation. OneCity supports heritage retention (either full or partial) wherever possible, while keeping in mind student safety as the number one concern.

Janet Fraser
Green Party
As a school board trustee my priority will be student safety and their learning environment and, as has happened at many Vancouver schools, this can be combined with heritage retention. The options for seismic mitigation are, to a large part, decided on by the provincial government and our new government has not yet outlined their approach to issues such as the usability of schools after an earthquake, space requirements for classrooms and hallways, costs for swing space and transportation, deferred maintenance, and sustainability upgrades. The new VSB board will have to work closely with the Ministry of Education to create and implement a seismic mitigation plan for all schools to be seismically safe by 2030, if not sooner.

Mike Lombardi
Vision Vancouver
Yes. During my 8 years on the VSB committee, 16 heritage schools were upgraded/renovated and 5 were replaced. I appreciate and value the importance of different schools in the district. I support the retention of heritage schools. If a replacement school is required it is important to look at partial retention such as Kitsilano Secondary School.

Robert McDowell
NPA
Definitely. We need to move quickly on seismic mitigation as a priority for our school system, and we should make the effort to retain the heritage whenever possible. By working collaboratively, I believe that we can ensure that our schools are safe for students and staff, while maintaining their rich heritage which holds immense value for their respective neighbourhoods, and the city as a whole.

Julian Prieto
NPA
As a graduate from Oxford university, as well as the beautiful Lord Byng, I appreciate the positive impact heritage architecture can have on the learning environment. I support the preservation of heritage schools or important sections whenever reasonable and the structure can be made seismically safe.

Christopher Richardson
NPA
It will be essential to work together to ensure that the long-stalled seismic mitigation program is reset and that we strive to seek a revised ‘long range facilities plan’ that takes into account the new realities resulting from the recent SCC class size and composition ruling and the need to be sensitive to our heritage assets with specific neighbourhoods and across the city. It is essential that the ‘total cost’ now and in the future is considered in bringing forward well-reasoned proposals to the Ministry.

Allan Wong
Vision Vancouver
As a VISION Trustee, we have used funds (operational and capital) to work towards retaining heritage. For example, when the pressure was to tear down Carleton hall (arson), we postponed the demolition of the building. We had pressure from the provincial gov’t – as they are the insurance body for schools – only funding demolition and nothing for renovation. Rather than demolish, we paid for the postponement and worked with a few organizations who were committed to heritage restoration. It took time for Green Thumb to raise the funds, but we worked together. Senior staff understood our commitment and were gracious enough that some worked weekends to meet with prospective organizations.

Judy Zaichkowsky
Green Party
I do support retaining heritage schools whenever possible with respect to seismic mitigation ( I went to Sir Guy Carleton).

Joy Alexander
Vision Vancouver
My colleague, Allan Wong, tells me that Vision trustees worked towards retaining heritage buildings – in particular at Carlton School – paying for the postponement of demolition in order to work out an agreement with Green Thumb Theatre. That appears to be a win/win situation. Going forward there will be many competing requests for how to use funds raised from potential land sales. I would be in favour of looking at each heritage school on a project by project basis and where feasible using funds from land sales to enable heritage retention.

Carrie Bercic & Erica Jaaf
OneCity
OneCity believes all public schools should remain in public hands and therefore does not support the sale of school board properties under any circumstances. If excess space is available on particular school properties then OneCity believes that space should be used for community enhancing leasing opportunities such as childcare, seniors centers, neighbourhood houses, etc. If these partnership leasing opportunities generated funds, then OneCity would look at all potential uses for these funds, including the possibility of further heritage retention on other sites.

Janet Fraser
Green Party
If funds are raised through the partial sale or lease of Vancouver Board of Education properties I believe they should be focused on capital projects to support our students’ education. Again, if student safety and good learning environments can be achieved in combination with heritage retention then I would consider using internally generated capital funds for such projects.

Mike Lombardi
Vision Vancouver
Yes. I would also advocate for the City of Vancouver and Ministry of Education to contribute funds for heritage retention of VSB schools.

Robert McDowell
NPA
Yes. I believe that heritage has a value itself, which is not simply quantifiable in dollar terms. I am not in support of the sale of surplus properties aside from exceptional circumstances, however, if we can allocate funds from other sources, or utilize our existing resources in a more productive manner, I would be supportive of dedicating these funds to heritage retention.

Julian Prieto
NPA
I believe we can find innovative ways to fund heritage retention, including private-public partnerships. Decisions on how to spend VSB revenue in general should be made in an open and consultative way. The criteria should be made in the best interest of children. These including better programming, teachers and a creative learning environment. Heritage architecture forms an important part of this latter.

Christopher Richardson
NPA
Yes with the limitation that sale of existing Vancouver School Board land should not occur except in exceptional circumstances. The policy of allocating extra funds for heritage retention maintains the source of capital revenues. Extra funds could also be used to enhance the community spaces available as schools are rebuilt and enhanced by the Ministry of Education for right-sizing and seismic purposes. The use of capital to provide operational revenue is not be encouraged (although I know it has been the practice with Kingsgate Mall lease revenue for many, many years). Although Vancouver is a relatively young city, it is desirable that heritage assets are retained or they will be lost forever. Heritage appreciation is one those teachable moments.

Allan Wong
Vision Vancouver
There is always ongoing discussions of the potential of partial sale or lease of surplus VBE properties. If/when that occurs, there are many competing areas (operational, educational, facilities maintenance, upgrade workshop, etc) requiring financial support. In that mix, I would also agree with Heritage retention where the “spread” in cost between heritage and new build is workable. There are a number of buildings that are coming up that the divide is reasonable.

Judy Zaichkowsky
Green Party
First, The issue of surplus VSB properties is not clear to me. This issue is closely related to city development and schools need to be in place with the growth of the city and transformation stages. Secondly, development underway and empty properties maybe blurring the actual future enrollment in some areas.

Joy Alexander
Vision Vancouver
Absolutely. One of the problems with the little yellow school house was that in was very late in the game before it was brought to the Board’s attention. That made retention more difficult. With the committee involved from the beginning this difficulty would be eliminated. Further, as I understand it, the committee would be able to provide background on heritage issues that arise which would be helpful in the board’s deliberations.

Carrie Bercic & Erica Jaaf
OneCity
Yes, we wholeheartedly support the retention of this committee.

Janet Fraser
Green Party
I would support retention of the Heritage Consultation Committee as it would continue the VSB’s long history of consultation.

Mike Lombardi
Vision Vancouver
Yes. I supported the establishment of the committee.

Robert McDowell
NPA
I would not only be supportive of the retention of this committee, I would like to be a member of this committee. I believe it would be a key component of our school planning and should provide significant input into both the short term seismic upgrading plan and the Long Range Facilities plan.

Julian Prieto
NPA
Yes, am in favour of retaining the committee. The heritage preservation community is vibrant and healthy in Vancouver and the VSB can learn a lot from its expertise.

Christopher Richardson
NPA
Yes. The Heritage Consultation Committee established by the previous Board should be retained as an advisory committee to Committee II – Buildings and Facilities — to ensure that a heritage lens is offered upfront to ensure that as ideas and proposals are considered that the heritage advice is considered. In the long-run this will not burden the process but enhance it.

Allan Wong
Vision Vancouver
Yes. I was chair of the Planning & Facilities Committee when the Heritage Consultation Committee was initiated. This is important for both long-term review and potential “groupings” and current upgrades. Also, would be helpful to discuss/learn options or abilities to retain heritage building or portions.

Judy Zaichkowsky
Green Party
Yes, I support retaining the Heritage Consultation Committee.

P.S. – As I said at our brief meeting the other day, the three issues that need to be countered from the Appointed Trustee’s position are:

• Building a new school is safer because the removal of asbestos is done more safely
• Building a new school is faster than renovating an existing building
• Students are able to re-enter a new building after an earthquake

I believe your point that old schools have more space is a good one but any other ways you can address these three issues would be helpful.