Kenner CVI IB Program Statement
Talking to area residents and families I have been asked about my stance on the Kenner CVI IB Program. My current stance after reviewing the material is that I am supportive of returning the IB program to Kenner CVI.
I have not come to this stance lightly. I have listened to many Kenner community members, attended the September board meeting where I heard and read a delegation from Kenner staff about the effects of the program’s cancelation on the schools atmosphere and course availability, I asked questions of current trustees on both sides of the issue and I even had a chat with the teachers who provided the delegation. Lastly I did my own research on the issues.
Raw Numbers
Sourced from the board and the Kenner Delegation.
Low completion rate: according to the board: Kenner sits at a low 8% completion rate for its IB program where the worldwide average is consistently over 80%. This data was taken over COVID when course formats were significantly different than standard. This data also does not take into account students who partially complete the program with a certificates
New to the board funding: In its peak, Kenner was bringing in an IB cohort of about 50 students per year with school staff estimating half of them being net new students, meaning students coming to Kenner from outside the KPR board and bringing new provincial funding with them. Without an active program at Kenner, space for an IB program in Peterborough opens up to be grabbed by other boards already drawing students away from KPR
$14,500 in provincial funding: Each net new student brings new funding to the school they are in each year and continue to do so regardless of if they end up graduating with an IB diploma.
$171,000 price tag: On average $85,500 per year to run the program at one school.
Why I am Supportive of a Re-Launch.
From what I have heard from those in the Kenner community, there are real school level consequences to programming for students for whom Kenner is their home school in terms of the variety of university level courses that are available in their home school. Students and families will find the course they want in other boards or privately so why not offer the program within KPR and Kenner with its central location in the board and existing IB certification is well set up to reopen KPR’s IB program quickly before its accreditation lapses and KPR possibly looses the program in Peterborough permanently.
As your trustee, this is the type of program I will stand with our community members in support of on the board. I will push to learn as much about the costs and benefits of each issue and advocate on behalf of residents and families in the city of Peterborough.