SD 20 again lands in a tight spot

School District 20 again finds itself in a tight spot.

It is the same equation many school districts face: declining enrolment + funding cuts = reworked budget + unhappy public.

For the district, cuts in the past have meant reducing five full-time equivalent positions. This news came at the beginning of the school year after the province had pulled back their annual facilities grant to the tune of nearly $1 million.

It seemed basically a Band-aid solution and served its purpose to get the district through the school year.

Now, however, the time has come for more long-term planning.

The district has entered the second phase of their Planning for the Future document. Phase 1 is available at www.sd20.bc.ca for reading.

The document outlines the challenges the district faces in the coming years and some possible solutions, one such solution includes the closing of Castlegar Primary.

As they move forward with their plan Board of Education chair Mac Gregory has said they plan to inform the public of any steps they plan to take in the future.

The district has, in the past, always tried to mitigate any impact on students and they say they are still mindful of that going forward.

But let’s not lose sight of the fact the district is just playing the cards they were dealt.

Let your MLA and government know education can not go overlooked.

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