The Board of Education met last night to review the 2015 Facilities Plan and discuss staff recommendations regarding potential school closures. Three factors were considered as part of the facilities plan review:
 optimizing educational opportunities for students;
 minimizing the impact of declining enrolment which is expected to continue to decline into the 2021/22 school year;
 eliminating the structural deficit projected to increase from $530,000 to $1.4 million by 2017/18.

The Board reviewed scenarios for the schools in all communities in the district including Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos, Cawston and Keremeos. After considering the rationale and recommendations for all communities, the Board approved the following motions:

1. That the Board proceed with a consultation process to consider the closure of Osoyoos
Secondary School and the transfer of students to Southern Okanagan Secondary School.
2. That the Board proceed with a consultation process to consider the closure of Osoyoos
Elementary School, the renovation of Osoyoos Secondary to a K-9 school and the
transfer of grades 10 to 12 students to Southern Okanagan Secondary School.
The following timeline has been established for the consultation process in accordance with the
board policy on school closure:

 February 9, 2016 – first community consultation meeting to share information on implications
of recommendations and for public feedback to the board.
 March 8 – second community consultation meeting to report back to the community on the
feedback received to date and further opportunity for public feedback to the board.
 April 6 – special public board meeting for decision on the recommendations.

All meetings will occur in Osoyoos. In addition to the public meetings, written feedback can also be
submitted through the district website, email (osoyoosconsult@sd53.bc.ca), mail or hand delivery to
the district office (PO Box 1770, 6161 Okanagan Street, Oliver BC V0H 1T0).

The Board of Education is committed to listening to the residents of Osoyoos and the surrounding area on the impact of the potential school closures.