SUMMERLAND, B.C. – More than 100 parents, students and community members came out to Trout Creek Elementary Tuesday night to oppose the closure of their school.
School District No. 67, Okanagan Skaha, announced the last-minute possible solution to their budget woes following a closed meeting January 5.
The board is considering reconfiguring all Summerland area schools, including moving all K-3 students to Giant’s Head Elementary, placing Grades 4-7 at Summerland Middle School and Grades 8-12 would be gathered at Summerland Secondary.
Parents say the last minute decision to possibly close Trout Creek Elementary is unfair and suspicious.
“My belief is we’re paying the same amount of tax as anyone else is, so why would we get the short end of the straw?” questioned Rob Oates, a parent of a Grade 4 student. Oates says they moved to Summerland from Alberta because of the school’s stellar reputation.
“With six days to spare, it’s hard-pressed not to have a lot of suspicious beliefs about what are the motives,” says Oates. “I also question whether the Penticton parents, families and students are going to be exposed to the same issues …. I believe there’s a big gap between the two.”
“I think it’s a very underhanded move,” says parent Madeline Gibbard. “I’m quite upset.”
The board is set to make a decision on Summerland schools January 20, but the district says that would be a decision in principle. The final meeting to confirm the closure would come after government and general community consultation leading up to March 6.
Reconfiguring Summerland schools would save the Okanagan Skaha School District $423,882. Trout Creek Elementary as a piece of real estate is valued at $4.1 million.
Trustees are looking to save $1.025 million on the next budget and are considering other options, which were discussed last fall.
Declining enrolment in the Okanagan Skaha School District means the provincial funding levels will continue to drop as well.
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