Catchment boundaries may change

Changes to school catchment boundaries in two Kelowna areas are being considered to accommodate a new development and transportation needs.

Recently, a new subdivision was created around the Highpointe Drive and Clifton Road area of Glenmore.

The current catchment boundaries for Bankhead Elementary and Watson Road Elementary split the subdivision, and in some cases the boundary splits individual properties, said Eileen Sadlowski, secretary treasurer for the Central Okanagan school district.

“We’ve got houses where the old catchment lines run right through their house,” said Sadlowski.

A catchment boundary change will be proposed to the planning and facilities committee on Wednesday.

The change will ensure people living in the new subdivision know which school is theirs, although students are permitted to go to any school in the district, depending on space, said Sadlowski.

“The catchment review will help to clarify appropriate catchments for families and help to determine appropriate student placement for these schools,” she said.

Sadlowski said she did not believe the changes would affect anyone else in the area besides those living in the new subdivision.

However, students already registered in one school would never be forced to change schools based on catchment boundaries, she said.

Another proposed change going forward to the planning and facilities committee this week involves creating boundaries for Black Mountain and Ellison elementary schools.

Currently, Rutland has an open elementary catchment area, meaning students can freely go to any school they wish.

“The catchment review will help to re-establish catchment areas for Ellison Elementary School and Black Mountain Elementary School, which will help to regulate student numbers and help determine transportation eligibility,” said Sadlowski.

The need for the catchment boundaries comes with the recent change to the school busing system.

Starting Sept. 1, all students in the Central Okanagan who require busing will pay an annual user fee of $200, the board voted earlier this year.

To be guaranteed a seat on the bus, students must live a certain distance from their school. In order to clearly establish a student’s transportation eligibility, there must be catchment boundaries in place, said Sadlowski.

Establishing catchment areas in the Rutland proper area will be put off until a decision is made on replacing Rutland Middle School.

These changes will be discussed at Wednesday’s planning and facilities committee meeting, and will be put to the board in September.

If approved, the new boundaries would be in effect for registration in spring 2019 for enrolment in September 2019.