Hon. Mike Bernier, Minister of Education.

Dear Mike,

Yesterday, I was informed that my name was coming up in Question Period and I managed to see it televised. I just have a couple of quick comments re your reply. First, I believe I am qualified to comment as I have served for 11 years as a School Trustee in this amalgamated District, 3 years as a Town Councillor, and 6 years as the Mayor of Osoyoos. I also grew up in this town and was bussed to school in Oliver for my final three grades.

There are school closures and there are school closures and then there is the Osoyoos situation. This is so much different than multiple schools having to be closed/merged/melded in the same municipality. Your rebuttal to MLA Fleming was that this is a “local” decision. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Not one person in Osoyoos and Rural Area voted for the Trustees that have voted and passed the “Osoyoos Solution” resolution. In fact there is a feeling that the Trustees are fostering a position of “any Town but Mine”. I personally believe that Trustees with children in one of the other mentioned solution schools are in a conflict position.

I don’t intend to list the litany of reasons why this must not happen, however I do wish to make a few points. I must say it was rather “gut wrenching” to listen to the parents and children at risk during our community meeting. I don’t think you could imagine the range of rationale that was presented. I believe you should have cause for concern with this situation. If this is allowed to be completed, it will be devastating to both the Town and the Community. Town refers to business, development, growth, and health while Community refers to the all-encompassing social effects to the residents. I understand that no other Town of 7500 citizens (estimated) does not have a K to 12 education facility.

The Osoyoos students would definitely be in a “second class” tier both as latecomers and bussed students. The Oliver students would have two more formative years (grades 8 and 9) of teacher exposure to their educational, social, and athletic skills and characteristics. Combine this with the restrictions of bussing and it doesn’t even make sense. I used to catch the “late bus” at 5 pm and get home to Osoyoos Town at approx. 5:20 but some of my rural residing friends would get off the bus at 5:40 on a cold snow blowing January evening. I just can’t fathom the lack of child safety in this proposal.
I suggested that you attend one of our community consultation meetings because the local School Board should not be making decisions to devastate and destroy a small rural community. It would truly be a retrogressive draconian measure if OSS was shuttered and the students bussed to Oliver. This closure certainly doesn’t reflect the last election’s mantra of “Families First”. What will you use in the upcoming election campaign? I understand the vetting of school closures changed in 2002 but I am asking for this to be reviewed. This is so much more than a school closure—it is a town closure. Is it right that the Ministry controls the tap of what comes into the School District and then turns its back when complications arise? This is so much more depressing after reading yesterday’s budget speech. It seems there is money for many things including an estimated $264 million budget surplus. Surely there is a solution at hand, but I think it will need your involvement and presence.

Stu Wells