At a special public meeting held Wednesday night, the Board of Education of School District No. 53
(Okanagan Similkameen) passed the following motion resulting in the closure of Osoyoos
Secondary School:
THAT the Board of Education of School District No. 53 (Okanagan Similkameen) approve the closure of Osoyoos Secondary School effective June 30, 2016 and the transfer of students to Southern Okanagan Secondary School.
The Board performed the first two readings of School Closure Bylaw 2016-01 required to officially close Osoyoos Secondary School. The final reading of the bylaw will be conducted at the regular Board of Education meeting on April 27, 2016 at 7:00 pm at the school board office (annex).
“This is a decision that has not been made lightly. The Board would like to thank everyone who has participated in the process and expressed their views and passion for their school. The Board recognizes that this has been a difficult time for the students, staff and the community. Trustees, district staff, and school administrators will now focus on the upcoming transition to ensure as positive and meaningful an experience as possible for students, parents and staff.”
Marieze Tarr, Chair
School District No. 53 (Okanagan Similkameen)
***
!!! Osoyoos !!!
Please listen and listen well ~
It was a hard night – it was a hard day
The negative remarks and blaming need to – STOP – NOW – please!!!
I have put hours and hours of blood sweat and tears into this ! I added last night , I have missed just under 200 hours from work since January.
I will not have my hometown carry on in such a manner in front of the very kids I have worked so hard to protect !!!
This rattles me to the core -WE are a very tight strong community/people have a right to their opinions and where to spend their dollars!!
I beg you to start over — today is day 1 to the beginning of our future. Come along for the ride – I am NOT done yet !!
Watch me – come with me.
“Education Destination ” will make you all proud to call Osoyoos home.
Let’s do this people!!!
Brenda Dorosz
***
Commentary from Andrew Stuckey
There were tears, hugs and expressions of “everything is going to be OK” this morning as students and staff at Osoyoos Secondary School went about their business after learning the previous evening the fate of their school.
And then everyone gathered in the same auditorium where about 12 hours earlier four trustees from other Okanagan Similkameen communities voted to close the school and bus students to Oliver.
“I knew I was going to meet with you, but I wasn’t sure exactly what I was going to say,” OSS principal Mike Safek began after the 200-plus students attending that day had settled.
“There is no manual for this kind of thing.”
After expressing his pride for student behavior over three months of uncertainty, Mr. Safek reminded students they would not be alone if they attended South Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver next June.
“There will be familiar faces there,” he told the students. “Most of our staff will be there. Most of your friends will be there.”
The questions that followed suggest OSS students are still trying to make sense of the Board decision.
One student asked if the decision were final. Another wondered how it was possible trustees living in other communities could make a decision about “their” school.
And finally, the specter of an independent or private school was broached.
The school has arranged for additional support staff to be in the school at least today to deal with student concerns, encouraging those who want to share their fears and frustrations to meet with counselors.