Hate to look a gift horse in the mouth, but what took the provincial government so long to come up with the funds to keep rural schools open?
Recently MLA Linda Larson announced $118,000 to keep Osoyoos’ high school open. But the school board said that wasn’t enough.
Now the BC Liberals have introduced a Rural Education Enhancement Fund of $2.7 million to keep nine rural schools open, including OSS.
Although school trustees are very happy to see this additional money, they have not confirmed whether the board will reverse its decision to close the high school. They say many questions need to be answered before that will happen.
It stands to reason if the province gives the board $387,000 (the amount the board will save by closing OSS) then the school should stay open. But it’s never as simple as that, is it?
Osoyoos Secondary School is old and in need of approximately $4 million in upgrades. So the board doesn’t see a lot of incentive in keeping it open.
Trustees are correct in saying that Osoyoos students will have more academic opportunities if they attend Southern Okanagan Secondary in Oliver. But what they are not really considering is the significant social and economic impact the closure would have on Osoyoos. To many people, closing OSS would be ripping the heart out of the community.
But do you rule with your head or your heart?
The provincial government and school boards have taken a lot of heat over school closures.
No doubt the Liberals stand to lose a lot of votes over this, so what’s the best way to win them back? Throw money around.
This may be a vote-buying exercise, but if it keeps people happy, and they don’t mind paying more taxes to keep their school open, then let it ride.
Let’s hope the school board gets the answers it seeks, because if trustees still hold fast and refuse to change their decision, the wrath they will face from the public will be God-like.
If the money is there, and it looks like it will be sustainable funding (not a one-time deal), then give Osoyoos its school back. There has been enough upheaval and dissent; it’s time to put away the emotions (and legal action) and focus on educating our kids.
Lyonel Doherty, editor
