The Board of Education has reviewed the Ministry announcement regarding administrative savings for the 2016/17 school year and determined that the savings will not be enough to counter the overwhelming financial and academic reasons for closing Osoyoos Secondary School.

We very much regret the emotional rollercoaster this decision and recent announcement has created for students, parents and families in our community.

The decision to close Osoyoos Secondary was extremely difficult, and was only made after consideration of all concerns, challenges and opportunities for our students.

While we appreciate that the closure is challenging for the community, the move will greatly improve academic choices and supports for secondary students.

There are three main reasons for the decision:

– Enrollment has been declining since 2010 at both Osoyoos Secondary and Southern Okanagan Secondary, and this trend is projected to continue for at least the next six years. As schools are funded on a per student basis, this means we have less and less money to operate and maintain our schools.

– Osoyoos Secondary School is over 35 years old and is in poor condition. The mechanical, electrical, structural and plumbing upgrades would cost millions of dollars.

– Southern Okanagan Secondary is a new building with two gyms, a science super lab, two computer labs, and an atrium for eating and student gathering, opening to a court yard with amphitheatre. Technology is hard wired into the building. The school also has a performing arts theatre, drama/dance studio and green room, as well as workshop facilities – all currently under-utilized. The school also has four student collaboration rooms and a fully staffed library commons.

Students at both schools currently have fewer academic choices and supports because of the small number of students in each grade.

Many students are taking courses that are required for graduation on-line because we can’t offer them in the classroom where they fit with their other choices; or, there are not enough students to run the course. There are fewer elective choices such as band, theatre, computers, technology, and language courses. There are fewer supports for struggling students and less available teacher librarian time.

The closure of Osoyoos Secondary will result in improved academic choices and opportunities for students at both secondary schools. By moving from the current grade size of approximately 45 (OSS) and 85 (SOSS) to 130 students per grade, the district can offer increased variety and increased flexibility in course offerings for students.

There will be greater opportunity for teacher expertise in specialty areas, and expanded opportunities for languages such as French, Spanish, and Punjabi.

There will be more Advanced Placement courses, computer courses, elective courses and an in-house trades program, and there will be less reliance on distance learning to meet graduation requirements.

We recognize that change can be challenging but we are committed to working with our school community through the transition to minimize concerns and maximize the opportunities that a larger school can offer our secondary students.

Please visit http://www.sd53.bc.ca/district/osstransition/ for more information on the transition to SOSS.

Marieze Tarr, chair, Board of Education