High school to close

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

The final nail was put in the proverbial coffin of Osoyoos Secondary School at the School District 53 board office Wednesday evening.

The third and final reading of the vote to permanently close the school was held in Oliver, and the board trustees voted 4 to 3, again, in favour.

The vote, which was the same as the April 6 meeting, came after many in the large crowd, including parents and politicians, pleaded with the board to keep the school open.

"I say to you, I beg you, I implore you to change your mind," said Councillor CJ Rhodes. "Do not go down in history as making the pinnacle of bad decisions."

The board has been looking at closing the town's only high school, as a way to deal with declining enrolment and a budget deficit.

There have been several meetings on the matter, as well as efforts set in motion to save the school since the board first voted to close it.

Mayor Sue McKortoff, who spoke Wednesday night, has written several letters to board chair Marieze Tarr.

Most recently there was an offer of about $350,000 a year for three years made to the board by council to ease the financial situation.

McKortoff asked for a one year delay on the decision and again spoke of the worst option, legal proceedings, if necessary.

Provincial NDP education critic Rob Fleming, who was in attendance, told the crowd the big picture in BC is that government priorities are all wrong.

He reiterated that this was a bad decision by the board and bad economic news for the town.

Board members spoke of being saddened by having to make such a difficult situation and of being targeted with verbal threats and in the media in recent weeks.

It was mentioned that Tarr has taken a lot of abuse and done nothing wrong, even voting against the closure.

Outside of the meeting, which was rowdy at times, students wept and residents talked about what is next.

"I'm very sad,” said Brenda Dorosz, chair of Save Our Schools. “Seven people have destroyed our town and our children's future. Our next step is Osoyoos Strong independent school."

Resident Victor Vieira said they were all upset about the vote.

"In my personal opinion this is a vote that was made a long time ago," he said. "And I am supporting an independent school. I think a lot of good people got the ball rolling on that and something will happen."

The plan is for Osoyoos high school students to attend Southern Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver, starting in September.

District superintendent Bev Young has said they are doing all they can to ensure a successful transition.

With files, Deborah Pfeiffer