SUMMERLAND — With enrollment falling in communities like Penticton and Summerland, the Okanagan Skaha School District is considering a wide variety of measures to save money, including the potential school closures.
Trout Creek Elementary was just added to the list of possible closures last week, while a decision on potential cuts is expected next week.
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Complicating the situation, the school board can’t make a decision on the school’s closure without providing the community 60 days of consultation.
“The confusing piece of this policy for us is we have 60 days to put our best foot forward, but the timing is rather confusing,” says Gillian Stevens, a parent at Trout Creek Elementary.
The school board says people in the Trout Creek community will be given their full two months to provide input if it’s considered for closure.
“I think that people do have to remember that it is two different processes now,” says Linda Van Alphen, the school board chair. “We want it to be fair that everybody gets their opportunity to comment or remark or have suggestions.”
According to the school board, enrollment at the elementary school is projected to decline over the next three years.
The burden is now on concerned parents to prove that people are moving to this town and that the school is still required.
The Parent Advisory Council (PAC) says new subdivisions in Trout Creek illustrate that this is a desirable community and that young families are moving here.
“The data for Summerland is that we aren’t growing, but if you parse out the data for Trout Creek, I think you’re going to find something very different from what is going on with Summerland as a whole,” says Sharon Mansiere, another parent.
The PAC doesn’t want the school board to make a premature decision when there’s potential for growth.
“People live in Summerland and actually work in Penticton, so any effort that the City of Penticton and the Chamber are doing and the District of Summerland for business growth and expansion will affect our community as well,” says Jane Compardo, another parent.
A public meeting will be held on January 12 at 7 pm at Trout Creek Elementary.
The public can provide feedback on the school district’s website until January 15.
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