West Bench and Trout Creek schools get provincial funding to keep doors open

It appears two south Okanagan schools slated for closure have now been saved.

According to School District 67, West Bench and Trout Creek elementary schools have been granted provincial funding to keep their doors open.

The school district applied for newly allotted provincial dollars from the government’s Rural Education Enhancement Fund. News came late Wednesday night both schools met the requirements.

READ MORE: New hope for Okanagan schools slated for closure? Province announces new funding

“We are so very pleased and excited that both of our applications were approved,” said board chair Linda Van Alphen.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We are so very pleased and excited that both of our applications were approved," said board chair Linda Van Alphen.

The province has approved $739,219, the full amount the school board asked for, as a special purpose grant. Neither school will have to reapply for funding for the 2017/2018 school year as well.

The only step now is for the school board to officially accept the money, which is expected to happen at a special meeting Thursday afternoon.