Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance Inc., (www.SureSealPavement.com), the Greater Toronto Area’s leading pavement maintenance and repair company, is weighing in on the Toronto District School Board shutting down some schools and potentially renting out the parking lots to split revenue.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has recently released a proposal to close 60 schools that they have identified as being underused and use those parking lots to raise revenue. Currently, 48 elementary schools and 12 high schools have been targeted as being potentially closed down by 2021 due to those facilities operating under 65% enrolment capacity. (Sources: “Majority of elementary schools on TDSB closure list serve vulnerable students,” CBC web site, February 9, 2015; http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/majority-of-elementary-schools-on-tdsb-closure-list-serve-vulnerable-students-1.2950099.)
“It’s an option that has to be considered,” says Lance Bradshaw, president and CEO of Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance Inc. “No one likes the idea of budget cuts, but when the TDSB is in a deficit like they’re currently facing, finding creative ways to generate revenue is a must.”
Bradshaw explains that the TDSB has a $3.0-billion budget but a $16.5-million deficit and that renting out parking spaces is a practical solution to recovering some of those funds. In addition, some of the money from the rentals will hopefully be reinvested back into properly managing the remaining schools. (Source: Goldsmith, D., “TDSB includes 250 job losses in 2015-’16 budget,” TorontoObserver.ca, March 25, 2015; http://torontoobserver.ca/2015/03/25/tdsb-includes-250-job-losses-in-2015-16-budget/.)
“However, seeing schools close down and impeding on education is never a promising situation,” he adds. “The situation is further muddled by the fact that many of the schools on the list have been determined to be around areas with high socioeconomic needs and in communities that have high poverty rates.”
“All one can do is hope something positive comes out of this,” Bradshaw concludes. “The city and the school board need to find a way to make the best out of this situation while keeping the children in mind.”
Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance Inc. is in the business of line stripping and maintaining parking lots and understands and recognizes the need for parking solutions. For more information on Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance Inc., visit www.SureSealPavement.com.