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

KELOWNA — There is another potential glimmer of hope for Osoyoos Secondary school and Trout Creek Elementary School in Summerland. On Wednesday, the province announced funding to help rural schools in B.C. stay open.

Calling it the Rural Education Enhancement Fund, the province says districts outside Greater Victoria, the Lower Mainland and Kelowna will be able to apply for ongoing provincial funding.

READ MORE: Province offers a fraction of the money needed to save Osoyoos Secondary

Only those districts that meet the following criteria can apply for the funding: they are in an area with a population less than 15, 000, the school closure would eliminate specific grades within the community, the funding is used to keep the school open and closures due to facility condition or extreme enrollment decline are not included.

“Closing the only high school or elementary school in a rural community has a large impact on that local economy,” said Premier Christy Clark in a news release.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Closing the only high school or elementary school in a rural community has a large impact on that local economy," said Premier Christy Clark in a news release.

“With Canada’s strongest economy it’s important that we make sure the benefits are shared by rural communities throughout our province to ensure they have the infrastructure they need to grow, attract talent, and provide critical services like health care.

As for how much money districts can apply for, the province says that sum is equal to the district’s expected savings from closing the school.

READ MORE: What happens when a B.C. community loses its only school?

Parliamentary secretaries for rural development Linda Larsen and Donna Barnett have been appointed to conduct a study of rural education funding in B.C. and to seek out a long-term solution.

“For students, families, and rural areas, the local school is the centre of the community and the local economy. In my time as minister I’ve seen that our education funding model doesn’t take all the unique rural factors into  account,” said Minister of Education Mike Bernier in a news release.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "For students, families, and rural areas, the local school is the centre of the community and the local economy. In my time as minister I've seen that our education funding model doesn't take all the unique rural factors into  account," said Minister of Education Mike Bernier in a news release.

“My ministry will work with the parliamentary secretaries to take a hard look at how we can make sure the unique community and economic role of rural schools is supported in how we fund school districts.”

The provincial government says details of that review will be announced at a later date.