OSOYOOS — There’s renewed hope that Osoyoos’ only high school will be saved for at least another year.
In a 5-2 vote, the Okanagan-Similkameen School Board decided to apply for special funding that may keep the doors of Osoyoos Secondary School open.
Last Wednesday, the B.C. Ministry of Education introduced the Rural Education Enhancement Fund, which was created to help keep schools open that are slated for closure in smaller communities.
READ MORE: Province announces new funding to help rural schools
Board chairperson Marieze Tarr said the group was waiting for more information from the province before making the vote. Once the information came to the district on Wednesday, the board went ahead with the vote.
Tarr said there was some hesitation with the two trustees who voted against applying for the fund because of concerns.
“Some trustees felt there was just too much uncertainty. We didn’t know if in a year’s time we’d have to pay some of the money back again, so that’s where that came from.”
School Districts will learn if their applications have been approved by June 30.
Meanwhile, the Town of Osyooos and four parents have applied for a Supreme Court injunction to delay the school’s closure for one year.
The judge’s decision is expected June 29.