Dear Editor:
The recent piece of information that appeared in the Osoyoos Times with comments from Education Deputy Minister Dave Byng to District 53 Chair Marieze Tarr did not offer any position on the boards decision’s related to Osoyoos Secondary School.
This information was a technical response to an earlier letter from the school district chair on the offer of municipal funds to keep OSS open.
The letter from the ministry merely outlined the technical and legal parameters around accepting the money, the schools district’s ability to levy taxes and responsibilities around decisions to close a school.
Also, the decision on what to use any accumulated surplus a district may have, is also at the discretion of the School District. The decision to close or reopen a school is a decision that rests solely with the school district. It is also up to the district whether it accepts money to keep a school open.
At no time has the Ministry taken a position on this school closure.
Ministry of Education
Victoria, B.C.
