Mitch Van Aller, Director of Facilities, is working with a team of engineers to develop a report to provide to the Ministry of Education and Treasury Board for approval in early December. The report will include three options for the rebuilding of the school and all options will include an auditorium and a Neighbourhoods of Learning facility. The options will take the best advantage of the existing footprint and services. The district hopes to have approval before Christmas break of a conceptual drawing for the rebuilding of the school. The Board of Education will then invite representatives from the community to advise the district on design details of the auditorium before the construction drawings are established. Invitations will be made in the new year once approval and a timeline have been established.
Chairperson of the Board, June Harrington, noted that “the Board’s priority continues to be the students. We remain dedicated to offering the best possible educational program and opportunities available and are committed to doing everything possible to ensure a new, quality school is rebuilt. We will continue to update the community as we progress through the process.”
Complete text of news release
School District No. 53
(Okanagan Similkameen)
In the interest of transparency and open communication, the Board of Education for School District No. 53 (Okanagan-Similkameen) wishes to update the community and partner groups regarding the educational and operational situation at Southern Okanagan Secondary School following the fire on September 12, 2011.
Students are back in classes with their full complement of courses as they were prior to the fire. Classes are being held in the Technical Education Wing, the six existing portables along with ten additional portables including one washroom facility. The District would like to thank the Christ the King Catholic Church for their generosity in allowing us to utilize space in their facility for classes and lunch hour.
As of Tuesday, October 11th, the west gym, including the weight room and change rooms, is open for Physical Education classes and noon hour activities. The new gym has had the floor removed due to water damage. That area will be used as a lunch room for students with cafeteria tables brought in until the floor is replaced. Clerical and administrative staff continue to operate out of the annex at the school board office until the four-plex (four
portables joined) has been renovated to accommodate staff and administrative office area.
Mitch Van Aller, Director of Facilities, is working with a team of engineers to develop a report to provide to the Ministry of Education and Treasury Board for approval in early December. The report will include three options for the rebuilding of the school and all options will include an auditorium and a Neighbourhoods of Learning facility. The options will take the best advantage of the existing footprint and services. The district hopes to have approval before Christmas break of a conceptual drawing for the rebuilding of the school. The Board of Education will then invite representatives from the community to advise the district on design details of the auditorium before the construction drawings are established. Invitations will be made in the new year once approval and a timeline have been established.
Chairperson of the Board, June Harrington, noted that “the Board’s priority continues to be the students. We remain dedicated to offering the best possible educational program and opportunities available and are committed to doing everything possible to ensure a new, quality school is rebuilt. We will continue to update the community as we progress through the process.”
June Harrington
Chair
School District No. 53 (Okanagan Similkameen)
October 17, 2011