'A huge problem': parents

Photo: Alanna Kelly

Parents gather for a public meeting on grade reconfiguration.

Parents are feeling more upset and dismissed after a public board of education meeting Wednesday night.

About a dozen of the more than 60 people who filled the gymnasium at Hollywood Road Education Services on Hollywood Road South hoped to change the board’s mind on their vote approving reconfiguration of grades in September.

A controversial vote will see reconfiguration having elementary schools with kindergarten to Grade 5 in, middle school with Grade 6 to 8 and high schools with Grade 9 to 12. 

Sara Neukomm spoke on behalf of concerned West Kelowna parent saying the board never followed process of discussion and consultation with parents.

“It came to no one until Jan 31, the board may be justified in their decision tonight, but I absolutely believe they went against their board policy in making this decision,” said Neukomm.

Neukomm said she does believe the decision would have been different if they consulted with parents earlier.

“Very simply they could have made an effort to consult with parents in November, communicate with the principals, bring it to the PAC levels, start spreading the word,” she said.

Lee Mossman, School District 23 Trustee said “you have every right to be upset."

Mossman went on to say he would not be changing his vote because he believes the change will be successful for students in the future. 

Neukomm said she believes the board has made up their mind after Wednesday's meeting and they won’t change their decision.

“Our only hope was for one of them who spoke in favour of the motion to make a motion tonight,” she said.

Mossman said he was basing his decision on research focused on graduation rates and students transitioning into high school, not emotion.

“Kids are resilient, but (there will be) ones that are going to struggle, we’ll do every damn thing we can to make sure that doesn’t happen,” said Mossman.

Neukomm, who has children in Grade 3 and Grade 5, said the problem isn’t about student adjusting to different grades, but schools becoming too full.

“I hear what they are saying, I believe my daughter will transition fine to middle school,” she said. “The trouble is by the time my kids hit Mount Boucherie there is going to be over 1,700 kids there.

“They have admitted there is no contingency plan," she said.

The most prevalent issue parents are faced with is where their children will attend school when they become full, according to Neukomm.

“By the time my daughter hits high school that school could be full, and then what? It really is a huge problem, where do you send these kids then?,” she said.

Neukomm said she would rather move then send her children to a school with 1,700 other students.

“They are telling us the schools are full in Kelowna," she said. "Summerland isn’t our district, there is not another school to send my children to.”

She adds there needs to be a process in place and saying it will be “OK” is not enough.

“It’s like they are playing a chess game with the province,” she said. “I am sorry, but it’s my kids future, you’re playing chess with my kid’s future.”

A petition was handed over to the trustees on Wednesday night with over 300 signatures from concern parents. The petition can be found online here.