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School District 51 discusses costs for middle schools

School District 51 (SD51) board trustees and staff presented more information to the public during a forum on Oct. 2.

In a follow-up meeting to last spring’s discussion on a school district redesign, School District 51 (SD51) board trustees and staff presented more information to the public during a forum on Oct. 2.

The biggest question raised was the concept of school redesign in the district, stated board trustee Vicki Gee.

“Throughout that forum, regardless of what people’s opinions were, one message came across really strong and the feelings that everyone had for their schools, their support for their teachers, and their community,” she said.

Gee noted that an online survey conducted had several good points that will be discussed in further conversations.

“It wasn’t really conclusive due to the numbers that responded but there were points made that we will take forward in our decision-making,” she added.

Parents suggested having the questionnaire be anonymous, which would increase the likely hood of honest answers.

Although Christina Lake Elementary School (CLES) is no longer part of the middle school transition, some parents attending the forum still had concerns about the middle school concept.

Jeanette Hanlon, secretary treasurer, explained that the calculations for estimated costs were based on the September 2012 enrollment numbers rolled forward three years. The Kindergarten numbers were also from this year.

“The transition year will be 2013-2014,” she said. “We’re putting in a transition year because of the fact that Grade 5 students would move from Hutton in 2013-2014, back to Perley back to 2014-2015.”

The estimated numbers have 312 Kindergarten to Grade 4 students at Hutton Elementary School, at Dr. D. A. Perley Elementary School would have 189 Grade 5 to 7 students, and Grand Forks Secondary School (GFSS) would have 338 Grade 8 to 12 students.

“For 2013-2014, there would be additional prep time for GFSS because the secondary school and elementary would have different prep times, which would cost $30,000. The exploration courses for Grades 5-7 would cost $2,835,” Hanlon explained. “The set up of four additional classes at Hutton and Library reorganization would cost $3,200, while contingency is $5,000. The total estimated cost is $41,035.”

The following school year, 2014-2015, Hutton would have 370 students, Perley (including CLES Grade 8 students) would have 206 students, and GFSS would see 244 students.

“There would be a savings of one teacher at the middle school ($80,000), additional prep time for GFSS teachers would be $32,000, while exploration courses for Grade 6-7 students would be $600,” she noted. “The problem is this year we’re using the Hutton portable to set up two more classes at $1,600, with the contingency plan at $5,000. The total estimated cost is $40,800.”

“There will also be savings in the 2015-2016 year as well. The bottom line is that the decision of a middle school will have to be an educational decision. If it’s made for financial reasons, it won’t work. It will cost us $50,000 either way, so it shouldn’t weigh in on our decisions.”

There are 24 school districts in British Columbia that have middle schools, including Kelowna, Coquitlam, Penticton and Cowichan Valley.