Considerations underway for potential school closures within SD57

School District 57 Trustees are in the very early stages of school closure considerations.

During last night’s meeting (Tuesday), Superintendent Jameel Aziz spoke about Giscome Elementary facing a potential closure as the school is projected to only have, at best, seven students by next year, but more than likely will be four.

Board Chair Craig Brennan talks about the potentially affected students and staff.

“Part of the process is where would the students go, and trustees asked about busing and distances.”

“In this case, they will identify the school they’re going to go to, and what that bus route would look like for students, and then for staff, the positions would obviously not be at Giscome anymore. They would be put off to jobs in other spots.”

Brennan says busing for Giscome students could be around a 20 minute distance to the new school.

The Board will have a 60 day period for public consultation until a final decision is made on if the school will be closed.

Superintendent Aziz did clarify this is not for budgetary reasons, but for quality of equity and programming.

The Central Interior Distance Education School (CIDES) is in a similar situation, though it doesn’t require a formal school closure, as it’s being seen as a program.

Brennan says they will look to idle the program down, but continue it until the end of this year, and the students in those would switch to programs offered from other institutions.

Superintendent Aziz made another clarification, saying this is not for budgetary reasons, rather to better utilize resources.

During a Committee of the Whole meeting on January 28th, the School District highlighted two other schools facing a potential closure, including Hixon Elementary and Van Bien Elementary, due to declining enrolment.

The School District’s increased surplus was also discussed during the meeting, and the story can be found here.

More information, and the full meeting agenda can be found here.