OSS students are being sent to Southern Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver for “orientation” starting Tuesday. They’ve been told to make their course selections at the new school before the bylaw to close OSS can even be passed into law. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
The bylaw to close Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS) has not yet been passed, but School District 53 officials are pushing forward immediately to “transition” OSS students to Southern Okanagan Secondary School (SOSS) in Oliver.
OSS Principal Mike Safek sent an email Wednesday to parents of OSS students advising them that students will be sent for an “orientation” visit to SOSS next week.
At the April 6 special school board meeting, trustees aiming to close OSS failed to achieve the unanimous consent they needed to pass all three readings of the bylaw.
This means the closure of OSS can’t be formally approved until the April 27 meeting of the school board – after students are being told they must return their course selection forms for SOSS.
A mere formality? Perhaps. But the motion to close OSS only passed by a single vote. It’s conceivable that one trustee could change his or her mind between now and April 27.
Then again, democratic process doesn’t seem to be a big concern for School District 53.
Some parents are vowing on social media that they will not authorize their children to attend the orientation at SOSS.
Safek said in his email that children are not required to go, but if they don’t attend, they should treat the day as a regular school day at OSS.
Brenda Dorosz, chair of the Save Our Schools (SOS) committee wrote to the school district yesterday asking them to halt the transition process immediately until the bylaw is passed.
“This is another example of parents not being consulted in the future of their child’s education,” Dorosz wrote.
RCMP forum, job fair on today
Local residents are reminded about two events today that should be of interest to many.
As mentioned yesterday, Osoyoos RCMP are holding a forum about crime in Osoyoos at 7 p.m. at the Sonora Community Centre.
Also, there’s a job fair at Spirit Ridge from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. where job seekers can meet with potential employers and those offering skills training.
Showers in today’s forecast
After yesterday’s weather forecast got it so wrong, you may wish to take today’s with a grain of salt.
The forecast today from Environment Canada calls for mainly cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of showers and risk of a thunderstorm this afternoon. The high will only be 16 C.
Mixed sun and cloud are in the forecast for Friday and Sunday, and Saturday should be cloudy.
High temperatures remain in the 18 C to 19 C range on the weekend, but then it gets warmer with more sunshine starting Monday.
