School district votes to close only high school in Osoyoos

School District 53 trustees voted 4-3 to close Osoyoos Secondary School, the only high school in town, and bus grades 8 to 12 students to Oliver going forward.

The decision was made in a packed board meeting Wednesday night with about 300 to 400 community members present at the Osoyoos Secondary School theatre. Some parents even stayed outside the building.

Brenda Dorosz, head of community group "Save Our School" announced to trustees during question period after the decision that parents would pull their kids out of the school system and start their own school, generating much applause.

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Dorosz said this was more than a threat and the wheels were already in motion.

Mayor Sue McKortoff expressed disappointment in the trustees' decision.

She says she wished they had delayed the decision, and says the town will do everything in its power to save their school, such as talking to the Ministry of Education or looking into an independent school.

Only high school in town

A motion to delay the decision by one year was voted down 5-2.

Osoyoos Secondary School is the only high school in the town and parents have raised concerns about what its closure will mean for the town's future.

Last week, parent and business owner Jamie Elder said the town would be crippled without the school.

"We are at risk of going back to being nothing more than a summer tourist destination and a senior citizen town," she said. "The appeal for families will end."

The decision was made to avoid a budget deficit, which the provincial government has disallowed school districts from running.