There’s no question life could change drastically around the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District.
A facilities report will go before trustees Tuesday and it proposes some sweeping changes to schools in every community in the district.
“The recommendations will change the way we have done business,” said trustee Chris Coers.
Among the proposals in the plan are possibly closing Len Wood in Armstrong as a middle school and converting Pleasant Valley Secondary to a Grade 6 to 12 focus. If that occurs, a decision would be needed on whether Armstrong, Highland Park or Len Wood are used for elementary purposes.
Falkland Elementary may cover kindergarten to Grade 8, while Grindrod Elementary could close permanently.
M.V. Beattie in Enderby could be converted to kindergarten to Grade 5 while A.L. Fortune Secondary could shift to Grade 6 to 12.
Declining enrolment and ongoing financial pressures have forced the district to consider all options to ensure the education system continues to operate as efficiently as possible.
Tough decisions will ultimately have to be made by trustees, but they can’t do it alone.
School district officials need to hear from parents, teachers, support staff, students and residents, even if they don’t have children or grandchildren in the system. Schools are a vital part of any community so their absence can impact everyone.
Read the report, talk to trustees and get involved.
Our youth and our communities require a thorough discussion and not a simple rubber stamp of a report.
