Oliver school trustees Rob Zandee and Rachel Allenbrand (far left) oppose the idea of seeking special funding to keep Osoyoos Secondary School open. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Oliver school trustees believe the board of education is making a mistake in applying for special funding to keep Osoyoos Secondary School open.
Last night Rob Zandee and Rachel Allenbrand were the only two trustees who opposed the motion to apply for $490,000 from the provincial government to save OSS from closure.
Trustees Sam Hancheroff, June Harrington, Debbie Marten, Marieze Tarr and Myrna Coates supported the motion to take advantage of recently-announced funds ($2.7 million) to keep rural schools open.
The board also passed a notice of motion to rescind its school closure bylaw at its next meeting, contingent on the district receiving the funding. This funding includes $387,000 (what the district would save by closing OSS), plus $103,000 for school maintenance work this summer.
But Zandee expressed a concern about jeopardizing a number of new courses that the district would be offering if OSS students amalgamated with Southern Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver.
“The potential loss of these courses to a large number of students is kind of scary,” he said.
But Osoyoos school trustee June Harrington asked if the loss of these courses is worth “devastating” 230 students and the economy of Osoyoos. She added that people are “already leaving” the community at the thought of not having a high school.
But Allenbrand interjected by saying the board’s mandate is not the economic well-being of Osoyoos, it’s providing quality education to students.
Zandee said there is no continuity or certainty in the funding, fearing the board would have to re-apply for it every year.
He noted the government has a record of handing out money and then taking it back from somewhere else in the budget.
“Being the subject of the political whim of Victoria is very disconcerting,” Zandee said.
Marten blamed the Ministry of Education for the board’s predicament, saying the government has ignored their previous lobbying efforts and tends to give money and then claw it back later. Now, all of a sudden the government is offering this funding in the final hour, she said.
“We all know it’s about the (upcoming) election.”
It was acknowledged that Osoyoos Secondary School is in poor condition and needs approximately $4 million in electrical and mechanical upgrades. Tarr added that the school’s enrolment has declined by 28 per cent since 2005.
However, Superintendent of Schools Bev Young said she was informed by the Ministry of Environment (by phone, not in writing) that the board would be eligible for operating funds to keep OSS open.
Secretary Treasurer Lynda Minnabarriet said the funding would be ongoing, but the board would have to meet the ministry’s criteria every year and re-apply every year.
Coates reminded the board that it still has to continue with numerous budget cuts regardless if OSS stays open.
The cuts include reducing principal/vice-principal administration time, reducing supplies and services by five per cent, reduce staffing and supplies at YouLearn, and reducing clerical time.
Hancheroff reminded the board about the pending legal action initiated by the Town of Osoyoos, noting it will cost the board about $100,000 in lawyers’ fees.
The board plans to meet again on June 30 to discuss the results of its funding application.
By Lyonel Doherty
