The fight to save Ashton Creek Elementary has garnered some high-profile support.
Trustees Chris Coers says she will oppose attempts to close the school after an input session attracted about 50 people Wednesday.
“The message was pretty clear — save the school, it matters to us,” said Coers, who is also North Okanagan-Shuswap School District vice-chairperson.
“People will tell me what they want me to vote for. I’m elected to represent the residents of the Enderby area.”
The school has 33 students in two, four-grade split classrooms so the district has suggested students may be transported to Enderby this September.
“There are financial issues that are valid but that doesn’t matter to kids and parents when it’s a service they count on,” said Coers.
A 159-name petition demanding that the school be kept open was presented Wednesday.
Diane Minaker, parents advisory council president, says the size of the school benefits students.
“There is overwhelming proof that shows that learning and behavioural disabilities are discovered sooner with a smaller teacher/student ratio and this is especially true of primary teachers,” she said.
“In this community, we embrace the way our kids are taught. As parents, we teach our children to be part of the community.”
A major concern for parents is busing if Ashton Creek school closes.
Enderby is 10 kilometres away from Ashton Creek school but many students are another 20 to 25 kilometres away at Kingfisher.
“It makes a very long day for our primary children,” said Minaker.
Minaker suggests turning Ashton Creek Elementary into a middle school to take some pressure off A.L. Fortune Secondary in Enderby.
“These students (Grades 7 to 9) would mature a little more in their own time, promote teamwork and be leaders for our community.”
Parents are getting support from the Regional District of North Okanagan.
“I have to be behind my community,” said Jackie Pearase, electoral area director.
Pearase’s children went to Ashton Creek school and she disputes the school district’s claims that four-grade splits deter learning development.
“Little kids learn from older kids and the older kids learn to teach and they build up confidence,” she said.
One person at Wednesday’s meeting spoke in favour of closing the school as a way of rationalizing budgets.
A decision on Ashton Creek Elementary’s future could be made April 10.
“The decision to close a school is a difficult one and trustees take this decision very seriously,” said Bobbi Johnson, district chairperson.
“There are many things we have to consider including sustainability, declining enrolment and educational concerns around four grade splits as well the comments and concerns we heard from parents and the community on Wednesday night.”
