CBC Daybreak South producer Jaimie Kehler (left) interviews Brenda Dorosz, chair of the Osoyoos Independent School (OIS) committee, who fought the closure of OSS as chair of the Save Our Schools committee. (Richard McGuire photo)
For the second time this year, Osoyoos played host to CBC Radio’s Daybreak South on Friday and once again the future of Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS) was a major topic.
Host Chris Walker and producer Jaimie Kehler ran the two-and-a-half-hour show from Room 1 at the Sonora Community Centre, which suitably was once an elementary school classroom.
Mayor Sue McKortoff, who was interviewed on the show, once taught school in that same room.
Other guests included veteran OSS teacher Natasha Schroeter, school trustee June Harrington, OSS Principal Mike Safek, several OSS students and Osoyoos school advocate Brenda Dorosz.
Walker also played an interview with Education Minister Mike Bernier, recorded Thursday.
“It’s been about not only Osoyoos Secondary, but about rural education through B.C. in general,” Walker said in an interview.
There are nine rural schools in the province slated for closure, he said, adding that the issue is one that Daybreak South has been following for months.
“We thought it was good to come to a community where this was all unfolding,” said Walker.
Originally they thought the show would be about saying goodbye to OSS, but Wednesday’s announcement of new provincial funding for rural schools threatened with closure has raised hopes that OSS might remain open.
Asked for his impressions of the school issue in Osoyoos, Walker steered clear of the politics, but pointed to the impact of the issue on the people of the community.
“Whether you agree with keeping schools open or not, no one can argue about the dedication of the parents,” he said. “The second thing is the angst that this has caused. I’m from a small town that had its share of controversies, so I understand how these kinds of things can take on a life of their own and become woven into the social fabric of the community. That is really tough and whichever way this goes, there will be long-lasting impacts I think.”
Walker said CBC Daybreak South tries to do three or four road shows each year, visiting several communities each time.
This time the show only visited Osoyoos.
“This is a one-shot deal because of the rural school closures,” Walker said. “We don’t have any more planned, but we plan at the last minute for everything, so you never know.”
He thanked the Osoyoos community for its hospitality.
“Everybody is so friendly down here and it’s a gorgeous part of the world,” said Walker. “I love coming to the South Okanagan any chance I get.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
CBC Daybreak South host Chris Walker was broadcasting from the Sonora Community Centre Friday morning. The show mainly dealt with the school closure issue. (Richard McGuire photo)
