Former MP Alex Atamanenko (Photo supplied)
Dear Editor:
I would like to thank the Osoyoos Times for its thorough and excellent coverage of the school issue.
As someone who has spent a fair amount of time in Osoyoos over the past decade, I find it inconceivable that the board of trustees with School District 53 is even considering the closure of either of the two schools.
Having visited Osoyoos Secondary School on a number of occasions, I have personally witnessed the pride that the students, staff and community have in their school.
In following the discussion in your paper, it is very evident that many creative solutions exist to enable these schools to remain open.
I fully understand that, as in many rural B.C. communities, the trustees finds themselves in a very difficult position.
Clearly, there is urgent need for a different funding formula by the provincial government for rural education.
The survival of our communities depends on it.
This must become an election issue in 2017.
However, in the meantime, I respectfully ask the School District 53 board of trustees to please do all that is humanly possible to ensure that both Osoyoos schools stay open.
I believe that it would also be appropriate for elected officials at all levels of government to inform the Minister of Education that the closure of schools in Osoyoos is not an option.
To all those who reside in other School District 53 communities, please support the citizens of Osoyoos in this extremely important struggle to keep their schools open.
The survival of rural education in all our communities depends on it.
Thank you.
Alex Atamanenko
Castlegar, B.C.
(Editor’s note: Alex Atamanenko retired last year after serving as the local Member of Parliament for this region since 2006).
