By Angie Mindus
Bridge Lake community members travelled to Williams Lake on Tuesday (April 19) evening to plead their case to keep their small rural school open, while trustees took another step in the process to possibly close it down.
Seven men and women addressed School District 27 trustees at a special open meeting about the potential school closure.
Some of them accused the trustees and district staff of falling short on meaningful consultation with the community, of not addressing an underlying issue that created the decline in enrolment and of withholding information that would allow for a more informed discussion.
Arguments were also presented that the closure would lead to lengthy bus rides for young children – about 45 minutes extra to neighbouring Horse Lake Elementary School – while passionate pleas were made that rural schools are the heart of every community.
“Rural schools are essential, please remember that,” said Gail Larson.
Parent Cambria Volonte also made an appeal to keep the school open.
“I ask you please do not close our school. This is devastating for our community.”
After hearing from stakeholders, trustees proceeded as expected to give first and second readings to the recommended motion that SD27 close the school effective July 31, 2016.
Board chair Tanya Guenther reminded parents that giving the first and second readings allowed trustees to debate the closure and ask questions, and that the process did not reflect whether trustees will vote to close the school when they make their decision next week.
“It allows a full week of sober second thought,” Guenther said.
Trustees reviewed the school by the numbers – which showed Bridge Lake Elementary School (BLES) dropped down to just six students in the 195-capacity school for the 2015/16 school year.
Two new students registered in March; however, the increase still puts the school below the government’s critical number of nine students to be eligible for a $162,400 rural schools grant.
In an unusual move following the numbers review, Guenther then read a statement from the school board “refuting allegations” that trustees or district staff somehow sabotaged the school for closure. The statement also defended a report in which the board stated they would not be reviewing any schools for closure
The trustees noted the report was a living document subject to change and that enrolment at BLES had decreased to a critical level, forcing the 90-day public consultation process.
Guenther continued saying she was dismayed as a board member that the public would accuse the board of acting “unscrupulously and without integrity.”
“This is just not true,” Guenther said.
After the reading of the board’s statement, tensions somewhat defused and trustees went on to discuss the challenging geography of the district, the cost of busing and educating students on a shrinking budget.
Trustee Linda Nielsen, who is the trustee for BLES, and Trustee Joyce Cooper also spoke to the negative comments directed toward trustees as a result of the possible closure, noting they felt they’ve done the best they could.
Also noted at the meeting was the approximately $1.38 million in cost savings realized as a result of the 2013 district-wide consolidation where four schools were closed – three in Williams Lake and one in 100 Mile House.
That said, trustees were quick to remind the public they are expecting another $900,000 shortfall in next year’s budget due to the removal of funding protection for declining enrolment.
Parents had one more opportunity at the end of the meeting to share their thoughts.
“If you have kids, put yourselves in our shoes.”
The vote on whether to close BLES is expected to take place at the board’s next meeting April 26.
Angie Mindus is a Williams Lake Tribune staff writer.