Editor:
Declining student enrollment is forcing School Dist-rict No. 46 to close at least one elementary school in Sechelt and/or Davis Bay.
The recommendation to consolidate schools is well balanced and came from a committee that included local teachers, students and parents. However, the whole process is at risk because the consolidation, which started very logically and with clearly defined goals, has devolved into a contest between communities and schools.
After the committee made its recommendation, the school board sought input by holding community meetings. Important issues were raised in the first meetings and these had obvious value. However, these meetings are continuing to be held without anything new being presented. Instead, meetings have devolved into emotional contests where a community's head-count is at least as important as what they present. This consultation process is turning communities into winners and losers. If we're not careful, the biggest losers will be our children and school staff.
This school consolidation process is just beginning. After we decide which schools will remain open, we need to plan how the students, parents and staffs will be merged into one school with one identity. There will be new staffing, support and transportation issues to be identified and resolved. This all needs to be agreed, in place and fully operating by this fall. We cannot afford the time this consultation process is taking nor risk the discord it is now creating.
We have an elected school board who, by seeking office, sought this responsibility. They now need to make some tough decisions, any of which will be unpopular with some of their neighbours, but all of which are required for our children. We need to support the board's decision, regardless of outcome, and hope they have the vision and courage to make the right decisions.
Ron Nelson
Sechelt
