LETTER: Osoyoos Secondary doors to stay open
By Linda Larson
Editor’s Note: Osoyoos’ only secondary school was scheduled to be closed due to cutbacks. The 2015-16 school year was to be it’s last.
As the MLA for Boundary-Similkameen, I am proud that Osoyoos Secondary School has received the funding required from the provincial government to keep its doors open this fall and in coming years, thanks to the efforts of our hard working community.
For several months, saving Osoyoos Secondary has been my top priority as your MLA. I have worked vigorously alongside our community from the very beginning because I did not want to see our Schools close. The funding we have secured together from the Rural Education Enhancement Fund is ongoing and will ensure that Osoyoos Secondary can continue to provide essential services to our community and a quality education for our young people.
I am proud to be a member of a government who understands the importance our rural schools, I would like to thank the community for working together to stand up for our students.
Background
Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson announced today that Osoyoos Secondary School will receive $490,000 from the provincial government through the new Rural Education Enhancement Fund to keep its doors open this September.
In addition to $390,000 in ongoing annual funding to keep Osoyoos Secondary School open indefinitely, the school is also receiving $100,000 to cover the cost of maintenance that has not been completed given the fact the school was previously scheduled to close.
For months Larson has been working tirelessly with the Ministry of Education, school district, school board, parents, and the Town of Osoyoos to find a way to save Osoyoos Secondary. With this new funding, Osoyoos Secondary will be able to continue to provide an education to students and essential community services.
“I would like to thank the community for working together to stand up for the students” says Larson. “I’m proud to have played a role in securing this funding that will support the students, families and the local economy here at home by ensuring the continued operation of Osoyoos Secondary”
On June 15th, Premier Christy Clark announced the creation of this ongoing fund to keep schools in rural areas of the province in operation. This funding comes as a part of the Rural Education Strategy that will examine rural school district budgets in communities outside the Lower Mainland, Greater Victoria and Kelowna. The strategy aims to find solutions for the unique challenges facing rural school districts, while recognizing the economic impact of rural schools in small communities.
