Mike Safek, principal of Osoyoos Secondary School. (Photo by Lyonel Doherty)

Mike Safek, principal of Osoyoos Secondary School. (Lyonel Doherty file photo)

Staffing for the fall at Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS) is now confirmed and both Principal Mike Safek and Vice-Principal Lyle Chapman will be returning.

That’s the word from Bev Young, superintendent of schools for School District 53.

“I’ve restaffed both schools,” said Young, also referring to Southern Okanagan Secondary School (SOSS) in Oliver. “From June 30 until basically yesterday we’ve been working flat out on the staffing.”

June 30 was the date the school district’s board of trustees voted 5-2 to rescind a bylaw that would have closed OSS and transferred Osoyoos students to Oliver.

“The immediate challenge was staffing,” said Young, adding that there are still a few positions in the district to fill.

The priority now, she said, is matching students with courses. And that will determine exactly what each teacher will be teaching, allowing teachers to do their preparations.

Asked how enrolment is looking for the coming school year at OSS, Young said that would only be known in September.

Osoyoos parents of students who will be returning to secondary school were surveyed in June about whether the students intend to go to OSS or to SOSS, but Young said she only received 61 responses to the survey. While a few will be going to SOSS, most intend to continue at OSS, she confirmed, adding that those who did not respond to the survey are presumed to be going to OSS.

While Young could not comment on individual teachers who will be returning to OSS, she suggested there will not be major changes other than the normal turnover that occurs as some teachers take other posted positions in the district.

School district administrative staff members have put in many long hours since the school board decided in January to begin the process of closing a school and then reversed that decision.

Young hopes things will be settled enough in the near future that she can take a vacation.

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times

Lyle Chapman recently started work as the new vice principal at Osoyoos Secondary School. He comes from an 18-year teaching background in Salmon Arm, where he has done career and guidance counselling, taught athletics and fitness as well as some teaching of social studies, English, math and science. He replaces Shannon Miller, who has become the principal at Cawston Primary School. (Richard McGuire photo)

Vice-Principal Lyle Chapman will be back at Osoyoos Secondary School when it opens in September. (Richard McGuire file photo)

Bev Young, superintendent, summarized the feedback received from the community, but did not respond to the points made. (Richard McGuire photo)

Bev Young, School District 53 superintendent of schools. (Richard McGuire file photo)