School Board Chair Marieze Tarr says the board will meet to discuss accepting provincial funds to keep OSS open when it has the time, but it is currently involved in a legal matter with the Town of Osoyoos. (Richard McGuire file photo)
UPDATE: Discussion of the provincial funding has been added to Wednesday’s school board agenda as of this afternoon. Also, the court arguments have wrapped up and the judge is expected to announce his ruling on Wednesday, June 29.
A school board decision on whether or not to accept provincial funding to keep Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS) open remains in limbo Tuesday.
Marieze Tarr, chair of the board of School District 53, replied by email Tuesday to an inquiry by the Osoyoos Times about when the board intends to announce whether it will apply for funds to keep OSS open under the Rural Education Enhancement Fund announced by the provincial government last week.
“We are currently involved in a legal matter with the Town of Osoyoos,” Tarr wrote. “As soon as we have the time, we will get together as a board.”
A court hearing took place in Vancouver Monday and Tuesday on a petition by the town for an injunction to keep OSS open. The judge is expected to rule on June 29.
Meanwhile, discussion of the provincial funding was added to Wednesday’s regular school board agenda on Tuesday. It was not on the agenda circulated Monday.
Tarr also denied a report on social media that she had spoken to Education Minister Mike Bernier about the provincial program.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
