School District 53 chair Marieze Tarr says funding announced Tuesday will not be enough to avert the closure of Osoyoos Secondary School.

“We know the community, parents and students were hopeful in the last couple of days that the closure of our school would be reversed,” Tarr says. “This has been an emotional rollercoaster for students, parents and families, and we regret that. Since 2010, we have been concerned about declining enrolment trends, less academic choices for students and challenges in balancing our budget.

“We have reduced spending by more than $1 million and have shared our concerns with municipalities, parents and community members through community forums, and as late as last year we held meetings with the RDOS and councils from all communities in our district.”

The board voted in April to close the town’s only high school. Since then, the town has taken legal action on the matter and there has been a community effort to start up an independent school.

Yesterday , MLA Linda Larson announced $118,102 in funding for the district and called for it to be used to save the high school.

Tarr said school trustees listened to the community at two public meetings and, after considering financial, geographic and public concerns, made the final decision to close the school.

The main reason is declining enrolment at both OSS and Southern Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver, the school Osoyoos students will attend this fall. The decline is expected to continue for the next six years, she added.

“OSS is an old building buit in late 1970s and has aging mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in desperate need of repair,” she said. “Upgrades to the systems will cost in the millions of dollars and will not be funded by the mInistry unless the building is at 95 per cent capacity.

“Due to the low enrolment, it has been challenging to provide students with academic choice and, now, by combining the two schools, we will be providing students with increased variety and flexibility of course offerings.”

At Southern Okanagan Secondary School, students will be able to take advanced placement courses in history, English literature and math, and there will be less reliance on distance learning to meet graduation requirements. There will also be computer courses such as coding and digital arts, according to the board chair.

Tarr said the funds will be used to add teacher time that was going to be cut, with the remainder going to supplies and services.

Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff said she has no idea what will happen next.

“I think MLA Larson and the trustees will meet to discuss options,” she said. “We are still hopeful that OSS could remain open.”

Source: Castanet