The Okanagan Similkameen School Board is looking at closing a school in Osoyoos. The board has decided to hold consultation on two different scenarios both of which would involve closing a school in the community.
They are considering closing a school for financial reasons. Board chair Marieze Tarr says the district is facing a $1.1 million deficit for the next school year and they need to find savings somewhere to balance the books.
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One option being looked at is shutting down Osoyoos Secondary School. In that scenario teens would study at Southern Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver instead.
In the second scenario, Osoyoos Elementary School would be closed and Osoyoos Secondary would also cease to exist in its current form. Instead the high school would be converted into a school for students in kindergarten through grade nine. This option would also see teens in grade 10, 11 and 12 go to Oliver’s Southern Okanagan Secondary School.
Tarr says the board is also open to other ideas or other options to save money as they would rather not close a school.
She says even simply talking about closing a school is very emotional for trustees and the community at large. Tarr is an Osoyoos resident herself and believes a closure would be “devastating for the community.”
“I would like to think that schools are the heart of a community. They bring the community together so it is always devastating for any community when a school closes,” she says.
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A final decision on whether or not to close a school is expected in April. Public consultations are planned for February 9 and March 8.
People are also encouraged to submit written feedback to the district’s website.
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