Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson has released the following statement in regard to the school closure proposal in Osoyoos:

One of the main functions of being an MLA is bringing people together, ensuring that different opinions do not become community divides. That is what I have been doing on the education front.

I have met with the Town of Osoyoos and have had conversations with school board chair Marieze Tarr and Save our Schools committee chair Brenda Dorosz. I have offered my support in any solution they put forward, and have stated many times that Osoyoos Secondary School is economically valuable to the community and that I support solutions to keep it open.

But this is a decision that is made by the school board, not the MLA, and that is why I have said on many occasions that I believe the community meetings are for the community and trustees to have a conversation around solutions.

The meetings are most definitely not meant to be a platform to the NDP for their political government bashing and diverting people away from finding practical solutions, which seems to be what NDP critic Rob Fleming wants. That is totally unproductive and is of no benefit to the community or the students.

I have been and continue to support the school board, the Osoyoos council and the community in working together to find solutions – free of overheated political rhetoric from Victoria politicians.