Two additional options for Penticton school closures

PENTICTON – The public will get a say on realignment options that include school closures as the local school district continues to deal with declining enrolment.

The two new options are the result of comments stemming from a resident attending the Oct. 26 public meeting at the Shatford Centre and were discussed by School District 67 trustees at a closed meeting earlier this week.

An alternative to other school closure options being considered involves turning Penticton Secondary and KVR Middle Schools into one large Grade 9 to 12 school with two campuses. Senior staff have determined the idea is a viable alternative which could be accomplished in two ways.

One option would result in the closure of Carmi, West Bench and Parkway Schools in a reconfiguration of Penticton area schools. Students in Grade 9 to12 would be directed to Penticton Secondary and KVR on two campuses located across the street from each other.

Princess Margaret and McNicoll Park would become Grade 6 to 8 middle schools and Skaha Lake Middle School would become a Kindergarten to Grade 5 elementary school taking in students from Carmi, Parkway and West Bench. All other elementary schools would remain Kindergarten to Grade 5, with McNicoll Park holding French immersion students. 

Estimated savings from the first option are expected to be about $757,000.

Option two would result in Penticton Secondary and KVR becoming a Grade 9 to12, two-campus secondary school with Princess Margaret and Skaha Lake Middle School becoming a Grade 6 to 8, two-campus middle school. McNicoll Park and West Bench would close, for an estimated savings of about $824,000.

These two additional options will now be included in the ongoing consultation process.

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