Schoool trustees decide tonight fate of three district elementary schools
Despite a few small spikes in student enrolment in recent years, the overall trend of student populations in Summerland isn’t healthy enough to save Giant’s Head Elementary from the guillotine.
School District 67’s trustees will be deciding tonight whether or not Giant’s Head -- along with Parkway and Carmi Elementary in Penticton -- should be closed in order to raise the overall functional capacity.
Last month Byron Dolan, an accountant from Summerland, questioned the math that justifies the potential closure of Giant’s Head. Its capacity is relatively high, enrolment numbers are increasing, and the District’s cost assertions are too broad and generic to convince him that it’s a good idea, he told The Herald.
Most of Dolan’s follow-up questions to the District “were not fully answered and one not answered at all,” he said in an open letter.
Superintendent Todd Manuel doesn’t get to cast a vote on the closures, but he defended the District’s reasoning for including Giant’s Head in the longrange facilities planning.
“Some years see small spikes in student enrolment, while other years have shown declines; however, on balance, we have seen minimal growth in Summerland schools since 2015 as we have in Penticton and anticipate minimal growth throughout the district over the next 10 years based on demographic analysis,” Manuel said in an email.
And while enrolment in Summerland grew over the past decade, it hasn’t been by much -- from 2015 to 2023, enrolment rose by just 17 students from 1,277 to 1,294.
But growth hasn’t been steady -- Summerland schools saw enrolment drop by 44 students at the start of the 2023-2024 school year (18 from Giant’s Head), and the forecast is calling for eight fewer students at the start of next year.
But even with a steady level of enrolment, there’s still pressure to shutter under-utilized schools.
“Unfortunately, the cost pressures the district has seen have continued to be substantial (just over $3.8 million since 2020, and additional cost pressures currently projected at over $1 million for 2024/25 school year),” Manuel said. “As school district budgets are largely generated by per-pupil funding and are tied to staffing that supports programs and services for students, these budget pressures have a particularly negative impact on the system.”
And while the overall population of Summerland is forecast to grow modestly, Manuel points out data from Interior Health that forecasts a 17-year decline of residents under 45.
When asked if there’s any reason to worry about portable classrooms, Manuel said the District invests in modular buildings instead.
“Modular buildings are similar to portable classrooms but are designed to be more permanent. Modulars can be customized to meet the needs of the school and offer flexibility for the district. The district already has three modular buildings and two portable buildings. These buildings will be moved to the schools that require additional space if the recommendations are accepted (three at
Princess Margaret Secondary and one at Trout Creek Elementary).”
If enrollment is so low, then how does the District rationalize the closure of brickand-mortar schools while also needing to build “modular” classrooms? Can’t they send Grade 6s to Summerland Secondary for a more balanced operating capacity?
“After looking at all reconfiguration options, moving Grade 6s to Summerland Secondary was considered but was not a preferred option. We are confident that K-6 elementary, and 7-12 at Summerland Secondary will be the most effective model to support quality learning and effective use of resources.”
Tonight’s special board meeting begins at 6 p.m. at siyá? House which is located behind the school board office at 425 Jermyn Ave. The meeting is open to the public.