The Destination Osoyoos (DO) board of directors has taken a firm position against closing schools in Osoyoos.

“The suggestion of closing either the elementary or high school or both in Osoyoos is not acceptable in accordance with the board of directors and staff of Destination Osoyoos,” DO said in a news release issued Friday.

The release followed statements in the media by DO Chair Don Brogan and Managing Director Gail Scott, which some people interpreted as not being strong enough in opposing the closures.

“Any discussion or announcements that schools are on the chopping block is always going to create a lot of talk, emotion and reaction,” Brogan said in the news release. “Our board of directors and staff are only too aware of this and we are unanimous in our concerns about the recent announcement made by School District 53, as well as the negative social and economic impacts (the) suggested closures would have not only on our children and their families, but also on the businesses, organizations and services that support this community.”

In a story in the Penticton Herald by freelance reporter Roy Wood earlier this month, Brogan was quoted as saying combining the two high schools in Oliver would have a positive impact on the quality of the education experience.

He said that in his youth, there was no high school in Osoyoos and Grades 10 to 12 went to Oliver. The low numbers at OSS mean there are limits to course breadth and some students already choose to go to SOSS, Brogan is reported to have said.

“The Oliver high school burned down and they built this beautiful new facility that’s state of the art,” Brogan is quoted as saying. “Why not let all the (students) in this neck of the woods get access to that.”

Brogan grew up in Osoyoos, but currently lives in Oliver.

When those comments were criticized on social media, Brogan posted to the Facebook group Save Osoyoos Secondary/Elementary School a lengthy comment in which he said the comments were his own and did not represent DO.

“There was definitely no intent in my action to speak on behalf of Destination Osoyoos,” Brogan wrote. “I told the interviewer my opinions were my own and not an official stance of Destination Osoyoos.”

Brogan said Wood contacted him in his former capacity as vice president of the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce (SOCC), not realizing at the time that Brogan no longer held that position and was simply an SOCC member.

Scott also clarified her position in the DO news release.

“Schools are the lifeblood of a community,” she said. “They are the first institutional amenity parents or business investors look into when exploring options related to investing, relocating or starting up a business in the area. We are not only concerned for Osoyoos, but also for the other communities within our South Okanagan region as we have so much to offer existing and new families and entrepreneurial enterprises. If this region is to grow, it needs to provide the services and amenities that every other successful community provides.”

Her statement follows comments she made last week in the Osoyoos Times in a short interview when she was asked about the impact on economic development if SOSS were to close.

Scott was clear at the time that a closure would have a negative impact on Osoyoos, but she went on to say it wouldn’t be as serious as the impact might be on some other communities because SOSS offers an excellent facility about 19 km away.

The Osoyoos Times contacted Scott in her capacity as an economic development specialist and not for a statement on behalf of DO.

DO is a non-profit organization promoting tourism, community and economic development. A volunteer board of directors made up of people representing local businesses governs it.

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times