Regarding the 3rd Reading: School Board Meeting,Wednesday, April 27, 2016

The public, including parents of students in School District (SD) 53, may not realize that without the 3rd reading passing tomorrow night, the cuts to the education of students in SD53 would be massive. They would impact every single student in the district including those in Okanagan Falls, Cawston, Keremeos, Osoyoos and Oliver.

At the SOSS Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting last Thursday, April 21st, attending parents and the executive learned that even with the closure of OSS, the local School Board must still find more than $600,000 in savings. These cuts will be in addition to those that will occur as a result of the closure.

Understand that SD53 is dealing with an extremely difficult situation caused by decreased funding by the government, and declining enrollment. They have been put in a very tough position, and under these “between a rock and a hard place” circumstances, must come up with the best scenario possible for the benefit of the students in the district as a whole.

Until now, we have remained part of what may be the silent majority, believing that while difficult, the closing of OSS, and amalgamation with SOSS is in the best interests of the students, under these circumstances. The time has come to speak out in support of SD53 trustees making and following through with this very difficult decision.

Greater availability of courses and extra curricular activities are two benefits we feel will be the result of the coming together of the two schools.

Sincerely,

SOSS Parent Advisory Council