School district superintendent Bev Young gave a slide presentation at the February meeting explaining the reasons why the district faces a financial crunch. (Richard McGuire photo)
With the second of two public consultation meetings on Osoyoos school closures set to take place Tuesday night, School District 53 has released a summary of public feedback so far.
“One of the purposes of the second public consultation meeting on March 8, 2016 is to report back on the feedback we have heard thus far from parents, students and community members,” wrote Bev Young, superintendent of schools, in a cover memo.
The document will be reviewed at the forum scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Sonora Community Centre, said Young.
The summary consists of a bulleted list of key points made in written and oral submissions addressing:
- Recommendation 1: Closure of Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS)
- Recommendation 2: Closure of Osoyoos Elementary and reconfigure OSS as K-9
- Recommendations 1 and 2 general comments
- Budget considerations
Among the many comments noted are the impact of students riding buses and concerns about after-school activities.
Safety concerns are also noted both with children riding buses and elementary students forced to cross Highway 97 if the elementary school is relocated to OSS.
The impact on the Osoyoos community is noted in the general section pertaining to both recommendations.
Budget suggestions range from adopting a four-day school week to selling properties and restructuring or reducing district administration.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
