They haven’t won the war, but concerned parents and citizens have at least caught the ear of School District 83.
About 150 people attended a public meeting Tuesday night and voiced their opposition to school closures in the district.
READ MORE: Residents rally to save historic Armstrong school
Armstrong and Silver Creek Elementary schools are on the chopping block, potentially slated to close due to declining enrollment and financial problems facing SD 83.
READ MORE: School closures recommended in North Okanagan- Shuswap School District
But the North Okangan-Shuswap School Board decided to extend the consultation process, meaning the schools still may be closed, but a decision won’t happen until April of 2017.
While most trustees were in favor of taking more time to make a decision, not all of them felt the extension was beneficial.
Trustee Jenn Wilchuk expressed concerned that drawing out the process could hurt students in the long-term.
The board voted to create task force committees for Armstrong and Salmon Arm take a deeper look at the situation.
“These committees will review, among other things, demographic information, school configurations and catchment areas in the Armstrong and Salmon Arm schools,” said SD 83 spokesperson, Alice Hucul.