School Closures:

There was no rigging of anything really, honestly it is shocking this didn’t happen years ago. Here are some reasons, thoughts, and what some thoughts on the subject from my point of view:

1.) Province wide, school districts have been facing a decline in student enrollment over the last 10 years.

2.) Canadian economic growth has not been what was predicted or hoped for. Less taxable items and people means less government spending all around.

3.) Taxes being kept low also limit government spending … costs get larger and revenue remains the same or is lessened by lowering taxes … do the math.

4.) The 350,000 offer by the town to help offset the costs incurred by the school per year was only about 1/3 of the totally short fall budget wise they were looking at just for the 17/18 year. So while the offer came from a good place, it was just not enough make the offer viable to the school board long term. They would have just been in the same place with a slightly less larger hole to fill, but still a very large one remaining to be filled.

5.) A privately funded school is not a realistic option for Osoyoos in the long-term. While on paper and as an idea is sounds and looks great short term. Over the long term with out full government assistance it is very much a model that can not be sustained for long. You have the purchase or lease of a building or land for a school, staff salary, equipment, facilities & upkeep, repairs and improvement, maintenance, contracts and agreements for staffing, code and building compliment, zoning, Funding for education programs and activities, bussing or equivalent there of. These are just a few of the costs a school has on a regular basis. These cost do not get smaller, they grow from year to year. How is the average person and family going to afford to fund this school? Unless someone is setting on 100,000,000 plus to keep this school funded and have some extra or outside expenses, it is just unrealistic to pursue the idea in the real world.

6.) What happens if the enrollment in the private school falls? That means that the cash supporting it falls and well and is more adversely affected by that change then a public school. A family that is a large donor to the school moves or away the school is no longer a priority for them? It would gravely affect a school that would already be stretching each penny to make it work.

7.) Going to SOSS makes the most sense, its the largest school, newest school, most up to date school, the school with the most room to grow and expand with the new students.

8.) Not being able to drop off your kids on your way to work, is a inconvenience not the end of the world. Your child having to ride the bus for 30 extra minutes is again an inconvenience not a life shattering tragedy. Having a high school is a service not a right. There are many other communities that have to bus or drive their kids to other schools, why are you the exception?

9.) Threatening to put your house up for sale like I have seen, is just down right silly and I hope they felt very embarrassed afterwards. Let say you pursue that as option. Where are you going to move to? Does that town or city have enrollment room close enough? Do you have a job waiting for one or both parents? Is the pay the same? How soon can you sell your home? Can you find an affordable place to buy or rent in the new area?

Thanks you for reading,

Peter Winters