Close to 200 people turned out Tuesday night at the Sonora Community Centre to hear an update on the progress being made towards establishing an independent high school in Osoyoos. (Richard McGuire photo)
The Osoyoos Independent School (OIS) committee has lowered the amount of money it is asking the town to contribute for an independent school to $176,000 per year over three years.
This request is based on a projected enrolment of 120 students, including the 15 students currently at Good Shepherd Christian School in Kindergarten to Grade 7, Brenda Dorosz, chair of the OIS committee told a public meeting the evening of Tuesday, May 24.
Dorosz commented this past Tuesday, May 31, that the push for an independent school in Osoyoos will continue after Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson announced an infusion of $118,000 from the provincial government to the School District 53 (See story on front page).
Dorosz said Larson’s announcement doesn’t provide nearly enough money and her committee must press on as she remains doubtful trustees will reverse their decision to close OSS.
About 150 members of the public turned out at the Sonora Community Centre to hear an update from members of the committee and to ask questions.
OIS is currently in partnership discussions with Good Shepherd, but as Pastor Darren Siegle, of Grace Lutheran Church, reminded those attending, an agreement isn’t yet a done deal.
Parents and students were asked to fill out registration forms so the committee can get an idea of the numbers of students to expect. They were also asked to indicate course preferences and whether they would prefer a four- or five-day school week.
David Adamson, vice chair of OIS, explained that the lower ask of $176,000 is based on roughly half the number of students, 230, that would have been affected when the town offered $352,000 per year to School District 53 to keep Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS) open.
The School District refused the money and voted in April to close OSS effective June 30.
Adamson said OIS hopes that the first year’s funding can be provided without the need for the town to put it to a referendum, which would delay the startup process. The town would have the option to go to a referendum for the subsequent two years, he added.
While money is essential, especially since OIS aims to keep tuition at $1,200 a year, with subsidies to students who can’t afford that, it’s not an insurmountable obstacle, Dorosz said.
She noted that she’s been approaching businesses both inside and outside the community, including business magnate and philanthropist Jimmy Pattison, for potential funding assistance. Pattison expressed interest, but needed more assurances before committing, she said.
More critical is the need for a facility, she said. OIS is asking the town for the free use of the upper floor of the Sonora Community Centre during the daytime.
Dorosz said she’s discussed the timetable with town staff to minimize any disruptions to existing users, and she said work bees would be willing to help if renovations are needed to accommodate anyone displaced.
The committee has also formally requested the use of all or part of the vacant OSS from School District 53, though Dorosz admitted the independent school group isn’t popular with them and OIS would be seen as direct competition for attracting students.
While discussions with Good Shepherd have been positive, and Principal Angela Westcott is a member of OIS and is education advisor, Pastor Siegle noted that the vote by the church’s Voters Assembly was only to continue discussions.
Good Shepherd is a Christian school, he pointed out, adding that there remain questions about which board would hire teachers and whether they would need to be Christians.
A partnership is critical for the independent school to obtain provincial funding in its first year. As a full independent school, it would receive half the per student funding that public schools get with the difference being made up by fundraising, tuition and lower overhead.
Siegle added that he wasn’t trying to squelch the process – he just wanted to put the facts out so that there were no unrealistic expectations.
Dorosz said OIS has confirmed that it will be able to offer a golf and soccer academy and that talks are underway to include other sports and activities such as hockey and dance.
Partnerships with local businesses are being pursued to offer facilities and instructional assistance with trades and various skills training, she added.
Westcott explained that there would always be a certified teacher present who would be in charge of the curriculum while tradespeople would teach the skills.
She also pointed out that an independent school receives the same provincial funding for special needs students as public schools get, and so the school would definitely be able to provide qualified people to work with special needs students.
Adamson said there would be a blend of experienced and new teachers. Already OIS has received a number of resumes from qualified teachers who don’t currently have permanent contracts.
Dorosz noted that students would be able to have all the courses they need to continue to any post-secondary institution.
Westcott said that if there weren’t enough students wanting a particular course to make it feasible to offer it, students would be able to take it by distributed learning.
There are volunteers in the community with teaching skills who would be willing to tutor such students, she said.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
