Board to discuss school closure
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Updated: October 20, 2009 6:43 PM
School District #83 superintendent Doug Pearson knew the enrolment figures were going to be down again this year, but he told the Board of Education trustees the numbers are even worse than anticipated.
“We planned 206 but we’re down 270. However it is not unmanageable because there will be funding protection because of a sharp drop and that will help us out for this year.”
Although the numbers are still “fluid,” some schools facing a sharper decline are North Canoe Elementary, which was down 26 students as of the end of September. This year their school population sits at 72. Parkview, in Sicamous, was down 35, taking their numbers to 184.
Bastion gained this year, with 19 more students than last year, bringing their total to 397.
South Broadview’s total of 222 students is up 11 from last year. Hillcrest, Carlin, Salmon Arm West and Sorrento saw minimal gains ranging from one to five students.
Salmon Arm Secondary is down 67 while Shuswap Middle School is down 26. Carlin Middle School took a slight loss as their count is down 10.
The trustees voted to accept the District Class Size & Composition Report as a matter of ministry guidelines, but they voiced their displeasure at having to accept it.
According to ministry guidelines the district is within class limits but trustees said that doesn’t always tell the whole story because, depending on the class composition, some teachers need more resources.
Salmon Arm Trustee Bobbi Johnson said: “A lot of teachers are making do with what they’ve got. Is it good for all the kids in the classroom? I really don’t want to vote for this but we’re put in a position.”
The ministry limit for kindergarten is 22 and the district’s average is 19. For classes one to three, the total allowable is 24 and the local average is 21.
Grades four to seven classrooms have a set maximum of 30 and the school district’s average is 28.
Middle and high school classrooms are allowed 30 and that coincides with the maximum average here.
“Things aren’t perfect,” said Pearson. “I have to write a letter of declaration that we are in compliance with class size and composition.”
During the meeting the Board of Trustees voted in favour of accepting the draft budget planning process for 2010. In an interview after the meeting, board chair Teresa Hebert said that in April part of the budget deliberations will include discussions of school closure.
There is no indication which elementary school might be considered, but with overall student decline, that is one option they will be seriously considering.
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