Today, Friday September 24th, Social Planning Toronto will convene over 300 specialists, school and community planners in a symposium to examine both international and local best practice with the innovative use of "schools as community hubs".

"Against the backdrop of Toronto's hotly disputed mayoral race, widely divergent models of "schools as community hubs" are being proposed by school trustee candidates, academics, education researchers and a number of influential front line service providers in government-funded agencies across Ontario", noted former school board trustee, John Campey, ED Social Planning Toronto.

Expanding the definition of schools is suggested as a response to a whole range of this city's ills: neighbourhood impacts of education funding; the dilemma of changing enrolment; the complex needs of adults, New Canadians and youth in communities; and the challenge of bringing a range of city, school and social services closer to students and the community.

"Elections in Toronto have always sharpened public debate over social and economic priorities for communities and overall social policy in the city," observed Campey.

Press contact: Jeremy Tudor Price <[email protected]> cell: 647-273-2596

Press interviews available:

* David Clandfield, former Principal, University of Toronto,
* Ranu Basu, York University
* Shelley Carroll and Denise Campbell, City of Toronto
* Diane Dyson, WoodGreen Community Services
* Tam Goossen, Urban Alliance on Race Relations
* Annie Kidder, People for Education
* Chris Spence, Toronto District School Board
* Catherine LeBlanc-Miller, Toronto Catholic District School Board
* Cathy Dandy, Kinark Child and Family Services
* Ginelle Skerritt, Warden Woods Community Centre
* John Campey, Social Planning Toronto