Osoyoos YouLearn moves to high school

By ROY WOOD

In a move that will save a little under $30,000 a year, the Osoyoos YouLearn Centre will move from its downtown location to the high school in September.

Acting on a recommendation from its finance committee, the Okanagan Similkameen School Board voted Wednesday to move the non-traditional learning facility from its Main Street home to an un-used and separate section of Osoyoos Secondary School.

Committee chair, Trustee Rob Zandee, told the board that moving from the rented building to rent-free space at the high school will save about $23,500 a year in rent and $3,000 in other costs.

Trustee Sam Hancheroff argued against the move, saying that while $26,000 is a considerable sum, there are non-financial costs associated with it.

Citing letters sent to the board by three staff members at YouLearn, he said students who have failed previously in traditional school settings might find it difficult to adapt to the high school. Students who were bullied, for example, may find moving into the high school upsetting. And “students with alternate lifestyles may not be accepted.”

Letters from the teachers also pointed out the possible transportation difficulties of getting to the high school rather than the downtown location. And there was concern about adult learners with criminal records may not be allowed in the school.

Clients of YouLearn include adults learning English language skills, seniors seeking basic technology training, school-age students who have failed for various reasons at “bricks and mortar” schools, adults seeking a high school graduation to enhance employment prospects and some adults attempting to overcome criminal backgrounds.

Superintendent of schools Bev Young said the school district does not do criminal record checks on students. She also pointed out that there would be a separate entrance to the YouLearn section of the school as well as separate washrooms.

Board chair Marieze Tarr said the move would make YouLearn more accessible to students at OSS, some of whom take courses at YouLearn.

She said the building on Main Street is for sale and it’s possible the district could get notice to vacate if it is sold.

Tarr said she had explored alternatives in Osoyoos, specifically the Sonora Centre and the elementary school, both of which are closer to downtown, but there is no room at either spot.

The motion to move to the high school passed with Hancheroff and Trustee Myrna Coates voting against it.