Summary of Public Comments for Initial Options report

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School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)REFERENCE MATERIALS

Tuesday, December 11, 20126:30 pmBoard Room

Pages

1. Initial Options Report

1.1 Guiding Principles and Timeline 5 - 6

1.2 Initial Options Report - 2012.09.25 7 - 16

1.3 Board Motion - 25 September 2012 17 - 17

Chair VanOsch and Superintendent Thiessen presented theInitial Options Report and invited public and stakeholders toparticipate in consultation meetings to provide input to theBoard before the final decision is reached in January 2013.

138.12 THAT the Board of Education invoke the 90 dayschool closure consultation process in accordance with Policy1711 for the following School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) schools being considered for closure 30 June 2013:•100 Mile House Jr. Secondary School,•Buffalo Creek Elementary School,•Wildwood Elementary School,•Glendale Elementary School, and•Kwaleen Elementary School.

1.4 Schedule of Board Meeting Dates to Discuss Feedback

2012 Dec 18, 6:30 pm, Board Office

2013 Jan 8, 6:30 pm, PSO, 100 Mile House

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2013 Jan 15, 6:30 pm, Board Office

2013 Jan 22, 6:30 pm, Board Office: Decision date

2. Public Consultation

2.1 Workshops

In-depth presentation of the Initial Options Report with time forquestions from the public

2.1.1 2012.10.02 North Zone: Public (at WLSS) 18 - 19

2.1.2 2012.10.04 South Zone: Public (at 100 Mile Jr.) 20 - 21

2.1.3 2012.10.16 West Zone: Public (at Alexis Creek) 22 - 22

2.2 Think Tanks / Thought Stream

"Out of the Box" Think long term, think collaboration ... think:

1. What are the challenges of the Initial Options Report?

2. Whart are the benefits?

3. What would I do differently?

2.2.1 100 Mile House Elementary 23 - 31

2.2.2 100 Mile House Jr. Secondary School 32 - 39

2.2.3 150 Mile Elementary School 40 - 45

2.2.4 Big Lake, Horsefly, Likely Schools 46 - 51

2.2.5 Buffalo Creek School 52 - 56

2.2.6 Cataline Elementary School 57 - 63

2.2.7 Chilcotin Road Elementary School 64 - 69

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2.2.8 Columneetza Secondary School 70 - 77

2.2.9 Forest Grove Elementary School 78 - 83

2.2.10 Glendale Elementary School 84 - 91

2.2.11 GROW Skyline, PSO Outback Schools 92 - 98

2.2.12 Horse Lake Elementary School 99 - 104

2.2.13 Kwaleen Elementary School 105 - 111

2.2.14 Mile 108 Elementary School 112 - 119

2.2.15 Mountview Elementary School 120 - 125

2.2.16 Nesika Elementary School 126 - 131

2.2.17 Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School 132 - 140

2.2.18 Wildwood Elementary School 141 - 145

2.2.19 Williams Lake Elementary School 146 - 153

2.3 Feedback from Other Sources

2.3.1 Students 154 - 229

2.3.2 DPAC

3. Public Forums - Potential School Closures

3.1 100 Mile House Jr. Secondary - Public Forum Summary 230 - 232

3.2 Buffalo Creek Elementary School - Public Forum Summary 233 - 236

3.3 Glendale Elementary School - Public Forum Summary 237 - 239

3.4 Kwaleen Elementary School - Public Forum Summary 240 - 244

3.5 Wildwood Elementary School - Public Forum Summary 245 - 249

4. Other SD27 Documentation

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4.1 2006.12 Trillium Report: Maximizing Resources for StudentAchievement

http://www.sd27.bc.ca/index.php?option=com_content& task=view& id=2353& Itemid=125

4.2 2009.05 Our Kids, Our Future - Year One

http://www.sd27.bc.ca/index.php?option=com_content& task=category& sectionid=13& id=61& Itemid=127

4.3 2010 Our Kids, Our Future - Year 2

http://www.sd27.bc.ca/index.php?option=com_content& task=category& sectionid=13& id=61& Itemid=127

4.4 2011.01 Ten Year Plan 250 - 264

This document is being released to the public for informationalpurposes.

4.5 2012 Administrative Review 265 - 268

School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) | PLANNING NEWS

WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHEN? Change is coming… Be a part of it.

v. 1.8 December 26, 2012

GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING We, the Board, are committed to: 1. Excellence in Education, Choice and Opportunity

a. Minimize Transitions b. Relevant learning opportunities (Accommodating

21st Century/Personalized Learning) c. Ensuring choice and supports for every student

2. Clear and Transparent Communication a. Balance (Communication and relationships need

continual attention and effort.) b. Get the word out (Stimulate discussion and

encourage meaningful participation.) c. Act with purpose (Be clear about intended

outcomes.)

3. Sound and Efficient Fiscal Management a. Efficient use of space b. Accommodate increasing or decreasing enrollments c. Fiscal responsibility

4. Embracing our District’s Unique Factors a. Rural and remote schools b. Geography c. Cultural diversity

INTRODUCTION Over the past nine months, the Board of Education has had many meetings to discuss how to achieve the best educational outcomes for all students in School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin), now and into the future.

To this end, the Board developed its Guiding Principles for Strategic Planning which was used to measure each option under consideration.

The Board has now completed its Initial Options Report for Public Consultation. This report was unveiled on Tuesday, 25 September 2012, at a special public meeting of the Board. The Board then had a half hour to answer any clarifying questions from the public.

Public and stakeholders will have further opportunity to respond to the Board’s Initial Options Report as shown overleaf.

STEP 1 APRIL 2012 – JUNE 2012 Identifying Principles and Issues of Importance to Guide the Conversation 1. Review of data | The Board reviews data and reports including Our Kids, Our Future Years 1 and 2, 100 Mile House Elementary Project Identification Report and earlier long term planning information.

COMPLETE

2. Develop Principles | The Board develops the guiding principles to be used for consultation and decision making. (See Left) COMPLETE

3. Share Timeline and Principles | Trustees will meet with the executives of CCPVPA, CCTA, IUOE and DPAC.

COMPLETE

4. Student Voice | The Board reviews the information received from the Student Voice meeting and secondary student survey April 2012.

COMPLETE

5. Develop Initial Options | The Board will identify initial options and staff will prepare the Initial Options Report for final review by the Board in September 2012.

COMPLETE

6. Public Consultation | Dates shown overleaf

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School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) | PLANNING NEWS

WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHEN? Change is coming… Be a part of it.

v. 1.8 December 26, 2012

STEP 2 SEPTEMBER 2012 – JANUARY 2013 Using the Principles, Values and Ideas from Step 1 to Refine Initial Options

1. Present Initial Options Report to the Public | The Board will present the Initial Options Report at the September 25, 2012

Board meeting. View the Report online: www.sd27.bc.ca COMPLETE

2. Workshops | In-depth presentation of the Initial Options Report with time for questions from the public North October 2, 2012, WLSS Gym

• 3:30 pm: Teaching Staff • 4:30 pm: Support Staff • 6:30 pm: Open to the Public

COMPLETE

South October 4, 2012, 100 Mile House Jr. Gym • 3:30 pm: Teaching Staff • 4:30 pm: Support Staff • 6:30 pm: Open to the Public

COMPLETE

3. “Out of the Box” Think Tank | You’ve heard the Initial Options Report and the Board’s rationale, now is your time to let us know what you think! Think long term, think collaboration… Think: 1. What are the challenges of the Initial Options Report? 2. What are the benefits? 3. What would I do differently?

West October 16, 2012, 7:00 pm Alexis Creek School. Combined Workshop and Think Tank. EVERYONE Welcome COMPLETE

North October 25, 2012, CSS Gym, Williams Lake • 3:30 pm: Teaching Staff • 4:30 pm: Support Staff • 6:30 pm: Open to the Public

COMPLETE

South October 23, 2012 PSO Gymnasium, 100 Mile House • 3:30 pm: Teaching Staff • 4:30 pm: Support Staff • 6:30 pm: Open to the Public

COMPLETE

4. Feedback | Based on feedback for items 2 and 3, opportunities for additional feedback may be scheduled. Written presentations will be accepted at any time throughout the process, as well as feedback through e-mail using ThoughtStream process

5. Report of Feedback From All Sources | Written summary of feedback from all sources December 11, 2012.

THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS APRIL 2012 - JANUARY 2013 If you can’t come out to a meeting, you can still have a say. Share your ideas and options for going forward.

1. Have your say online: 2. Write Us at: 3. Reporting and News Updates: Progress reports on After October 2nd Think Tank, School District No. 27 consultations and planning meetings will be posted to the www.sd27.bc.ca 350 N. 2nd Avenue District’s website and updates will be presented at each Williams Lake, BC V2G 1Z9 Open Board Meeting

STEP 3 SEPTEMBER 2012 – JANUARY 2013 School Closure Consultation (Policy 1711)

1. Announcement of Board’s proposal to close schools | The Board will present the Initial Options Report identifying schools considered for closure at the September 25, 2012 Board meeting. View the Report online: www.sd27.bc.ca COMPLETE

2. 90 Day Consultation Process | The Board announces a public consultation period of not less than 90 days at the September 25, 2012 Board meeting. 3. Public Forum | The Board will hold public forums to deal with the proposed school closure which is part of the public consultation process. COMPLETE

• Glendale Elementary: November 6, 2012 Public: 6:30 pm Staff: TBD

• 100 Mile House Jr. Secondary: November 8, 2012 Public: 6:30 pm Staff: TBD

• Kwaleen Elementary: November 20, 2012 Public: 6:30 pm Staff: TBD

• Buffalo Creek Elementary: November 22, 2012 Public: 6:30 pm Staff: TBD

• Wildwood Elementary: November 29, 2012 Public: 6:30 pm Staff: TBD

4. Additional options for public consultation | Written presentations will be accepted at any time throughout the process, as well as feedback through e-mail using ThoughtStream process

5. DECISION | January 2013

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Printed on 21/09/2012 11:54 AM

Initial Options Report for Public Consultation 25 September 2012

Board of Education of

School District No. 27 (CARIBOO-CHILCOTIN)

The Board of Education of School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) is charged with providing the kindergarten to grade 12 education for the students of the School District. In this dispersed and highly varied district, with declining enrolments and changed funding formulae, this has become an increasingly difficult task. Meeting the broad spectrum of requirements for educating all of the students over a broad geographic area in underutilized and deteriorated facilities is difficult.

In an effort to address these issues, the Board has undertaken the task of developing a forward-looking Educational Plan supported by program and facility changes to maximize the expenditure of funding on direct services to students.

To this end, the Board began by setting out the following:

Guiding Principles

1. Excellence in Education, Choice, and Opportunity

a. Minimize transitions b. Relevant learning opportunities (Accommodating 21st Century/Personalized Learning) c. Ensuring choice and supports for every student

2. Clear and Transparent Communication

a. Balance (Communication and relationships need continual attention and effort) b. Get the word out (Stimulate discussion and encourage meaningful participation) c. Act with purpose

(Be clear about intended outcomes)

3. Sound and Efficient Fiscal Management

a. Efficient use of space b. Accommodate increasing or decreasing enrolments c. Fiscal responsibility

4. Embracing our District’s Unique Factors

a. Rural and remote schools b. Geography c. Cultural diversity

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Initial Options Report

for Public Consultation September 2012



Background The geographic area of School District No. 27 encompasses most of the southern Cariboo-Chilcotin region from 100 Mile House and environs in the south to slightly north of Williams Lake, east to the Cariboo Mountains, and west into the Chilcotin and the coast range. The communities of 100 Mile House and Williams Lake are the principle population centres and form the nodes for secondary education in the School District. The grades K to seven students are dispersed in many smaller outlying schools as well as medium to large elementary schools in close proximity to the main centers.

Declining birth rates provincially are reflected in this district and have combined with a smaller work force in the region’s primary industries to decrease the school-aged population. Although the trend to smaller enrolments has shown a slight reversal with some increases in kindergarten enrolment provincially, this is not evident in School District No. 27 yet. The overall reduction in the number of students in the School District will continue for the near term. Only major economic changes in the region would bring about an increase in the school-aged population.

Declines in enrolment have resulted in challenges to providing a well-balanced education to many students and in most schools being underutilized. This has forced more multi-grade classrooms, inefficient pupil-teacher ratios, and a strain on both the education and on the operation and maintenance budgets. Additionally, many of the schools are older and have numerous issues in terms of energy efficiency, air quality, and general renovation needs.

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In preparing a forward-looking plan, the economic conditions in the School District must be considered. Forestry and mineral extraction have historically been the primary employment sources in the region. The southern portion of the School District likely has a more stable future with a broader and more diversified forest base than the northern portion. In the north however, the opportunities for expanded mining and resource extraction provide the potential for more growth at a time when the forestry industries will face supply issues.

Throughout the School District, the schools in small isolated communities function as critical elements of the social infrastructure. Consolidation and re-structuring is not always feasible in many remote rural communities. While feasible in the larger centres, there are still many impacts on the students and their families.

Given the budget constraints that are unlikely to change in the near term, fiscal efficiency in the provision of K to 12 education is a necessity. This includes increasing the utilization rates of individual schools, the efficiency of the pupil-teacher ratios, the minimizing of administration costs, and the best use of maintenance and operations resources.

The tools available to meet these needs generally are focused on fewer classrooms, more efficient use of staff resources, less support space, and reduced expenditures on capital and operations. This can be achieved, in part, through the consolidation of schools with some closures or through mothballing or removal of surplus space. Such strategies have significant short-term impacts on students, families, District staff, and communities.

The intent of the Board of Education of School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) is to balance the needs of the students and staff of the school system in accordance with the “Guiding Principles” stated above. This will ultimately require:

• a reduction in the amount of classroom space in use, • altered grade configurations in accordance with recognized educational standards, and • a reduction in maintenance and support personnel, and • recognition that any plan created today based on ten-year projections, must be

reviewed and updated based on changes as they occur throughout the region.

The proposed changes for School District No. 27 have been considered and reviewed in depth on a regional basis and are as set in the following pages.

Every dollar saved on energy, carbon tax, operating costs, maintenance, and deferral of capital expenditures results in better funding for the direct costs of education.

The long-term goal however must remain to achieve the best educational outcomes for all students now and into the future.

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South Zone (100 Mile House and environs)

The south zone of the school district is distinctly defined as an area from the southern district boundary north to Lac La Hache, and from the Cariboo Mountains to the Fraser River. Included are a central grade 10 to 12 secondary school (Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School ) and grade 8 to 9 junior secondary school (100 Mile House Junior Secondary School) and a grades K to 7 elementary school in 100 Mile House. Six more elementary schools, most within 26 km of 100 Mile House, are located in the communities of Lac La Hache, 108 Mile Ranch, Forest Grove, Buffalo Creek, Horse Lake, and Bridge Lake (56 km). Utilization rates vary significantly with the smaller communities surrounding 100 Mile House being the most challenging. The condition of these schools varies, but most are in need of energy and air quality upgrades and other maintenance.

The secondary school population is dropping and projected to continue doing so for the next ten year projections. Peter Skene Ogden Secondary is also challenged in the size, type, and diversity of spaces to accommodate the desired education program. Additionally, as the number of students decline, fewer instructors are tasked with teaching a variety of subjects.

Adequacy of diversified space at the junior secondary is not an issue though the diversity of the curriculum is, due to the limited number of instructors. A two-grade school with two transitions in two years does create some social and other issues. This school with a large footprint and very low utilization rate has an inordinate impact on energy consumption and maintenance cost. This school is in need of many renovations due to age and general deterioration.

The elementary schools vary greatly in utilization rates, condition, size, and importance to local communities. Both 100 Mile House Elementary and Mile 108 Elementary operate at or near capacity while most others vary with utilization rates being fair to poor. Most elementary schools have an excess of space and operate with mixed grade classes. While the distance between adjacent schools is not always significant, the bus rides to any of the current schools are frequently long to begin with. Many of these schools also function as the primary community hub, often with other services being offered within the school (library, social services, community hall, etc.).

The proposed changes to the education delivery in the south zone consist of the following:

• Reconfigure all elementary schools to K to 8. • Reconfigure PSO secondary to grade 9 to 12. • Close 100 Mile House Junior Secondary and dispose of the land and buildings. • Commit funding to upgrade the Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School to support the

curriculum needs. • Commit funding to upgrade and possibly expand 100 Mile House Elementary School.

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• Close Buffalo Creek Elementary School and consolidate the students into Forest Grove Elementary School.

The savings realized from the closure and sale of 100 Mile House Junior Secondary together with School District capital spending commitments will help to improve the curriculum offerings at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary. This will meet the Board’s guiding principle of providing “Excellence in Education, Choice and Opportunity”. This closure also provides a larger more diversified teaching staff and keeps this school population closer to its designated capacity. The improved physical condition of Peter Skene Ogden Secondary will reduce operating and maintenance costs providing “Sound and Efficient Fiscal Management”.

The rejuvenation of 100 Mile House Elementary will result in a more efficient and better utilized school for the elementary population of 100 Mile House. Improved access, vehicle circulation, and safety can be included in this project. This project also meets the tests of providing “Excellence in Education, Choice and Opportunity” and “Sound and Efficient Fiscal Management”.

These proposed changes will help to retain elementary students in their local communities for one extra year, better utilize the teaching resources, increase the efficient use of these buildings, and minimize transitions for students. All of these are in accordance with the Board’s guiding principles.

Some right-sizing of underutilized space in rural schools may be considered either through mothballing or selective demolition to reduce operating and maintenance costs. Such changes should consider the potential for future space requirements.

Further consideration is required for community use of facilities. Some programs and user groups are in keeping with the Neighbourhoods of Learning initiative, but sound fiscal policy requires that the programs be self-supporting wherever possible.

The slight increase in the number of students retained at rural schools, combined with continued support of community programs as set out in the Neighbourhoods of Learning initiative, will help these schools to remain viable. The per student cost of operation, maintenance, administration, and capital replacement should all be reduced.

All of these changes are directed to the Board’s guiding principles of “Excellence in Education, Choice, and Opportunity”, “Sound and Efficient Fiscal Management” and “Embracing our District’s Unique Factors” in the southern zone of the School District.

West Zone (Fraser River west)

The schools to the west of Williams Lake are characterized by widely dispersed populations and long travel distances. These schools are so widely dispersed that any changes will have significant impacts on students and communities. Further community review and consultation is required prior to finalizing a plan for the west area.

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The Board of Education recognizes the need to engage with these communities to discuss school enrolment and configurations as a further step under the Guiding Principles in 2013/2014. This could include some form of right-sizing of schools either through mothballing or selective demolition to reduce operating and maintenance costs. Given the travel distances involved, school closures are difficult to support.

The Board of Education continues to support the provision of K to 10 schooling in these communities.

Williams Lake Zone

Williams Lake is the major centre for School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) including the highest concentration of students. The Williams Lake zone includes two grade 8 to 12 secondary schools (Columneetza Secondary and Williams Lake Secondary) with both functioning below capacity, but neither is able to accommodate 100% of secondary students. At the elementary level, there are currently nine K to 7 elementary schools located between 150 Mile House Elementary in the south, Wildwood Elementary in the north and Chilcotin Road Elementary in the west.

The enrolment at the elementary level is below capacity in the Williams Lake zone. Some specialty programs have developed at individual schools to enhance their enrolment, though this simply makes the other elementary school enrolments lower. Glendale Elementary currently runs on a 12-month calendar and also includes a French Immersion Program. Kwaleen Elementary operates as a traditional school.

In central Williams Lake, Marie Sharpe Elementary houses a variety of strong community and student support programs in surplus space. These programs are in keeping with the Neighbourhoods of Learning initiative and are in support of many students in need of special assistance. This school is centrally located and appropriate for many of the special supports available there. This school has a distinct and important role in the provision of education in Williams Lake. This school should be considered in the longer term for renovation, refurbishment, or replacement as a key central support and education facility.

For secondary students, there are a number of challenges associated with attendance at a small comprehensive school. Course selection is difficult, particularly for more specialized courses in the senior grades such as math and science, but also for many of the practical arts. Instructors in small schools are tasked with providing a broad variety of course offerings, often to small classes, and on an intermittent basis. Many students are already transferring between the two campuses in order to access their courses and programs of choice.

Operating a full sports program at two schools is also difficult due to participation rates and the provision of coaching and support.

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Some consolidation of schools is needed in Williams Lake to meet the Board’s guiding principles, particularly with regard to the efficient use of space and to the fiscal responsibility. However, such closures should also consider the balance of the Guiding Principles, particularly regarding “Excellence in Education, Choice, and Opportunity”.

Consolidation of the secondary schools into one campus is not feasible at present as neither can accommodate the full population without major changes and additions or significant grade level re-structuring. Creation of a middle school on one campus may require some physical changes and would restrict the availability of some specialty programs at the secondary level. As well, this would add a transition for all students.

Through application of the Guiding Principles, combined with a review of school capacities, catchment areas, and student enrolments; and education delivery models in School District No. 27 and elsewhere, the following option has been proposed to address the efficient utilization of schools in Williams Lake.

The proposed changes are twofold: the creation of a single, new, grade 7 to 12 secondary school on two campuses combined with the consolidation of nine elementary schools into six grades K-6 elementary schools.

The use of a single secondary school with two separate campuses exists in several communities in the Province for similar reasons. To align with the goals of the BC’s Education Plan, the School District intends to engage an external facilitator to coordinate this restructuring. The school programs will be designed to better respect:

• the Our Kids, Our Future document, • hockey academy, • fine arts programming, and • other currently existing programs.

This model will retain or increase the choices and opportunities for all students. The resulting operational changes will provide:

• better certainty for students in the availability of desired courses and programs, • more focused content for teaching staff, and • a better range of offerings for all students.

The grade seven students could be located in one school as a ‘pod’ and could be afforded ‘explorations’ opportunities in specialty spaces. They will not require the additional transition of a middle school program.

The challenge is at the administration level, not at the student or teacher level.

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This proposal accommodates all students in grades 7 to 12 for the current planning horizon and can deal with a reasonable growth or shrinkage in enrolment or adjustments to grade configurations at the rural feeder schools.

At the elementary level, the change of grade configuration further reduces the utilization of all elementary schools. Consolidation and school closures based on an in-depth study of the capacity, current enrolment, catchment area, trends, facility condition, and all other available data has resulted in the selection of the following consolidations:

• Consolidate Glendale Elementary School English track students to Cataline Elementary School.

• Consolidate Glendale Elementary School French Immersion students to Nesika Elementary School.

• Consolidate Kwaleen Elementary School with Chilcotin Road Elementary School with out-of-catchment students returning to their home school or other school of choice. The traditional school model will discontinue.

• Consolidate Wildwood Elementary K to 3 students with Cataline Elementary School.

All of these changes are directed to the Board’s guiding principles of “Excellence in Education, Choice, and Opportunity,” “Sound and Efficient Fiscal Management” and “Embracing our District’s Unique Factors” in the Williams Lake zone of the School District.

East Zone

The three schools to the east of Williams Lake are relatively stable with populations that live and work in their communities. These schools are small and important in their communities but the school buildings are in poor condition. There are no immediate plans for these schools, though renovations or replacements should be given consideration in the longer term.

Summary Excellence in Education, Choice, and Opportunity

The proposed changes in the 100 Mile House and Williams Lake communities, taken together, will effectively improve education for all students in the affected areas. Only one transition for students from grades K-12 would be required, with this option.

Relevant learning opportunities are enhanced for all students. With fewer expenses for facility costs the School District can direct more resources to better pupil-teacher ratios, provide more educational supports, and have fewer multi-grade split classes.

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At the secondary level in both communities, with larger enrolments, course selection and availability will improve. Teachers at the secondary level will be able to work closer to their specialization and to provide enhanced supports within their curriculum area.

Throughout the School District savings in facility cost can be directed to student supports.

Clear and Transparent Communication

This Initial Options Report is the first significant step, based on many hours of review and debate by the Board of Education and Senior District Staff, to develop the communication and balance needed by the students, staff, and parents of the School District.

This report is intended to inform and to elicit response and discussion regarding the value of these proposed changes. The options herein are well researched and supported by sound fiscal management principles, but are not yet cast in stone.

The next stage is public presentation of the Initial Options Report to encourage further discussion, changes if required, and ultimately to garner broad support throughout the School District.

Once a final plan is adopted by the Board of Education (anticipated in January 2013), the School District must act upon the decisions in a timely manner in order to retain the support of the community and to garner the support of senior government in the capital expenditures required.

Sound and Efficient Fiscal Management

The facility changes recommended above will result in far fewer underutilized classrooms and a significant reduction in grounds and maintenance. The costs for operations including utilities, carbon tax, custodial, grounds maintenance, general repairs and long term capital replacement will all be reduced across the School District.

With the options proposed, there is adequate ability to adapt to minor changes in enrolment within any of the catchment areas. Significant increases in enrolment are likely only to come in response to a major economic driver in a specific area of the School District. Should this occur it should be addressed in isolation from the balance of the School District and include capital planning involving the Ministry of Education.

The reduction of five schools district-wide will result in savings in operations that can, over the long term, be redirected to educational service to the students of School District No. 27. Consideration should also be included of the cost of providing space to associated agencies in school space for lower than the operational cost of the facilities. While these services are of benefit to the school and to the community, the cost should balance against the educational plan for the School District as a whole.

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Embracing Our School District’s Unique Factors

Rural and remote schools serve students distant from the major population centres that typically have long bus commutes to their school. These schools typically receive extra financial support for their typically smaller populations. The School District recognizes the challenges faced by these families and supports the existence of these schools and their importance to rural communities.

The unique geography of this School District includes grasslands, forests, river valleys, and mountain terrain supporting a wide variety of economic drivers, lifestyles and cultures. The geography creates unique challenges for transportation and communication that challenge the residents and the School District in many ways. These are to be embraced and supported in the education of students in the School District.

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School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)

OPENING, CLOSING OF SCHOOLS

AND SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION Policy No. 1711

Effective: October 2009 Initial Adoption: June 2006

Preamble The Board of Education believes that one of its major responsibilities is to strive

to provide school facilities that will allow for operational efficiency and program effectiveness for all students throughout the District. In keeping with this philosophical tenet, the Board may from time to time have to open new schools or consider the consolidation or closure of schools.

Policy The Board of Education may decide to open a new school or reopen a

closed school and will provide written notification to the Minister of Education. Following a public input process, the Board may also decide to consolidate schools or to permanently close a school and will provide written notification to the Minister of Education.

Regulations 1. An official ceremony may be held to celebrate the opening or reopening of

a school building, or district facility, or the opening of a major addition, or renovation to an existing school or facility.

2. The Board shall allow a period of not less than 90 days for public

consultation to take place between the time that a potential closure of a school is announced and the final decision is made.

3. All persons or groups in the community who could be affected by a school

closure should be made aware of the Board’s proposal to close the school. 4. A public forum will be held to deal with the proposed school closure and

shall form part of the public consultation process. 5. Consultation will be meaningful, and fair consideration will be given to all

public input prior to the Board making its final decision. Consideration will include; consideration of future enrolment growth in the District of persons of school age, less than school age and adults; and consideration of possible alternative community use for all or part of the school. Fair consideration includes the concept that the Board’s proposal to close a school could be changed or reversed.

6. The closure of a school should not normally take place until the September

following the final decision. This will give parents, students and school staff time to make alternative arrangements.

7. The final decision to permanently close a school will be done by bylaw.

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“Learning, Growing and Belonging Together”



P: 250.398.3800 F: 250.392.3600 350 Second Avenue N.

Williams Lake, BC V2G 1Z9

The following is a summary of comments/questions made by public persons and is not meant

to be a document of verbatim transcription from the following meeting:

Williams Lake Consultation with public regarding Initial Options Report

October 02, 2012 Following is a Summary of Comments and Questions From the Public: Input # 1 - No Middle School because of transitions. Kwaleen grades 6’s 3 transitions?

Input # 2 - (Student) Grade 7 to secondary – bad idea: bullying, drugs, alcohol.

Input # 3 - Why not a middle school?

Input # 4 - Why not offer more than one option?

Input # 5 - Student voice leader. Do not believe grades 7 & 8 are emotionally or physically ready to fit in with older students. Running buses – how is paying for more buses going to reduce funding.

Input # 6 - How would you fit all students into one location for things like grad etc.?

Input # 7 - This is not an option that was embraced by the Our Kids, Our Future – no one wanted it – that’s part of the reason no decision was made. What about marginalized students – how will they arrive at the next campus? 7&8’s not ready for secondary school. Williams Lake Jr. and Columneetza Sr. did not happen because teachers did not want it.

Input # 8 - 3 kids in Glendale. Taking away the choices of elementary schools. Taking away balanced calendar. Do not pull this away from us. More options by having year round secondary and full year secondary. We can’t give them everything. Reconsider, keep Glendale open. Balanced calendar

Input # 9 - Tired of consultation – whatever changes – it has to happen for kids. 7-12 – both schools now have some excellent programs. How do you bring them together?

Input # 10 - Glad to see the Board moving forward and taking a stand. What about the early years programs?

Input # 11 - You have minimized big issues schools: drugs, drinking, skipping. Admin and teachers are working max. No matter how you spin it – grade 7’s don’t belong in secondary school. How will you protect them? They will become more vulnerable.

Input # 12 - Catchment area kids – back to home schools – how will they put catchment schools in – how will they fit?

Input # 13 - Bussing between 2 schools is still a transition? Any studies? Challenge the Board to find one building to house all secondary students.

Input # 14 - 7-12 – how does this help my high achiever or my average child?

Input # 15 - Grades 7 – why would you want them in high school? Middle school is not the same.

Input # 16 - What about just grades 8-12?

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Board of Education of Page 2 of 2 School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)


Input # 17 - Hopefully there will be money given for gifted students. Will there be meetings for receiving schools? Information from existing 1 school 2 campuses.

Input # 18 - Petition – Stop Merging Schools and Grades 7

Input # 19 - How will you stop shoplifting, drugs, sex?

Input # 20 - K-12 then Secondary: kids not taught so they can go on without taking upgrade. Stone community – taking grade 7’s out will cause financially. Taking grade 7’s out of rural as parents may move into town. If Canada has best education system, why not put money in it.

Input # 21 - Research brought forward saying 6-12 and 7-12 show higher incidence of drug, sex, etc.

Input # 22 - Wildwood school – just moved from Lower Mainland. FN Lang, breakfast prg, after school program – this is a safe school for my child. Racism and bullying does not exist for my child. Why is it on the chopping block.

Input # 23 - Can our kids get Shuswap early at another school?

Input # 24 - Things happen on the busses that we see – that others don’t. There are issues. Peer model.

Input # 25 - Rapid Fire: why not close Marie Sharpe – sell then land and meet our shortfall?

Input # 26 - Will numbers allow for 6-8 and 9-12?

Input # 27 - Pulling kids out of grade 7 and put in private.

Input # 28 - Kids in grade 7 still play – what then?

Input # 29 - Are we losing our kids to home school, private – where are kids going?

Input # 30 - Partnering with agencies/community and Prosperity.

Input # 31 - Band and music in K-6?

Input # 32 - When will we know about the changes?

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100 Mile House Consultation with public regarding Initial Options Report

October 04, 2012 Following is a Summary of Comments and Questions From the Public: Input # 1 - Why Buffalo Creek and not Forest Grove?

Input # 2 - Why is Lac La Hache being left alone?

Input # 3 - Some students travel to Buffalo Creek for the teachers not necessarily for school but teachers. We want to protect teachers.

Input # 4 - 100 Mile Elementary: built in 1952, 1958, 1967, 1970 – vague about upgrades, portables, addition. Grade 8 electives? Parking is an issue 100 Mile Elementary.

Input # 5 - North K-6, 7-12 and South going K-8, 9-12. Will grade 8’s have less opportunity? Not equal between the two zones. Not equal with Burnaby. Need to find ways to increase offerings for students.

Input # 6 - Buffalo Creek and Forest Grove: Difference between two schools? Why don’t we have a choice where our students go? Part of Forest Grove is closed off – no furnace, no water

Input # 7 - Horse Lake students – we want electives too. Why not K-7 and 8-12?

Input # 8 - If school is over-filled – will we get more money?

Input # 9 - Buffalo Creek PAC – from parent who just moved here. Great learning experiences.

Input # 10 - Deficit budget – get all districts

Input # 11 - Why are we afraid to stand up and fight? Why as Canadian citizens are we allowing this to happen?

Input # 12 - If we are in the hole $900K what will we do next year – cut more?

Input # 13 - Economic Growth?

Input # 14 - Air Quality problems?

Input # 15 - Student: Electives – going to PSO – what about students from Bridge Lake School electives?

Input # 16 - I’d be fine in a portable (in gr 7 now)

Input # 17 - Big change going to Full Day Kindergarten – now adding a half hour bus ride? Considering direct bus routes for K students?

Input # 18 - Declining enrolment – why did we re-open Forest Grove?

Input # 19 - If you close a school you are creating another transition.

Input # 20 - Buffalo Creek is a family. Not just trying to save our school for the bus ride – it’s for the school, teachers, community.

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Input # 21 - Child barely passed as options opened she graduated with 84%. Having child in portable at elementary for grade 8 is not acceptable.

Input # 22 - If we sell this property – and enrolment increases – we have no room.

Input # 23 - Hearing from grade 7 today – they are looking forward to, they are ready to move to secondary for grade 8. Taking their options away. More open to 7-9 and 10-12. Don’t even know how the 9’s will fit at PSO. Lac La Hache, Forest Grove, Buffalo Creek.

Input # 24 - Checking with the students?

Input # 25 - Commend the Board for making decisions. Won’t make everyone happy. As parents we need to look forward and ask myself – what can I do for my students to make it better for them and better for my community? The Board has to be fiscally responsible. Thank you.

Input # 26 - My son will be ready to move on after grade 7. Staying another year will be hard. Many kids are saved by the advantage of being offered electives in grade 8. I understand bussing students – but don’t think students will get the benefit they need.

Input # 27 - If capital expenditures are a priority for PSO – wouldn’t that solve the issue of 8-12?

Input # 28 - How can education be equal? Why do you need principals?

Input # 29 - Cross boundary into Buffalo Creek – for the teachers. How do we keep the teacher?

Input # 30 - K-8 in rural schools could have the same teacher for grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 – too long. If status quo cannot be – is the school closure a foregone conclusion?

Input # 31 - Grade 8 system is going to change. Are kids going to be ready for university?

Input # 32 - Is school of choice dependent only if there is room in the receiving schools? If grade 8’s are in 108 and 100 Mile Elementary then they may be full.

Input # 33 - Multi-level school has been beneficial for child with learning disability (cross boundary).

Meeting adjourned: 9:15 pm

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Alexis Creek Consultation with public regarding Initial Options Report

October 16, 2012 Following is a Summary of Comments and Questions From the Public: Input # 1 - Secondary 7-12 – what do you envision for grade 7 – 12. Grade 7 in a pod, teachers

rotate? Input # 2 - 1 school/2 campuses: transferring back and forth – how many minutes of instruction

are lost?

Input # 3 - 21 Century Learning – classrooms will look very different.

Input # 4 - learning disabilities: what do you see for students going into secondary school? Could be traumatic. And grey area students?

Input # 5 - GROW / Storefront – any changes?

Input # 6 - this school students are transitioning from WL to ACES.

Input # 7 - one ACES teacher transferred to WLSS – very favourable with ACES students

Input # 8 - SD63 Saanich – how is it working for them? Recognize financial – but there has never been a better group of students, parents, - need more community based training – vocational type. Community LINK funding. Takes a whole community to raise a child. SD63 – amalgamated elementary schools etc.

Input # 9 - sports – can’t play WLSS - CSS. Bus students to 100 Mile House?

Input # 10 - what about the hockey program?

Input # 11 - would it be open to grade 7?

Input # 12 - what about the positions of Principal and Vice Principal with the proposal?


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powered by THOUGHTstreamwww.thoughtstream.ca page 1 - created 26 Nov 2012

Q1: What do you feel are the key challenges with the options being proposed in the Initial Options Report as theyrelate to your school and community?

Started: 4 Oct 2012 Ended: 26 Nov 2012

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overall rating participant count average ratingElementary school is not appropriateenvironment for Grade 8 students.

61 16 3.81

Condition of 100 Mile Elementary 58 23 2.52Limited electives for Grade 8 students. 53 21 2.52Placement of Grade 8 french immersionstudents?

42 16 2.62

2 major renovations: 100 Mile Elementary andPSO

39 16 2.44

Classroom spaces are not suitable for grade8 and 9 science, band, and sports.

37 15 2.47

Support for high-needs students impacted bylarger class sizes.

35 15 2.33

Sufficient staffing levels at elementary school. 34 14 2.43Limited program choices 32 16 2.00Class sizes 26 14 1.86Capacity of elementary schools is not enoughto accommodate additional students.

25 10 2.50

Are the changes going to be drastic enoughto avoid further cuts later?

24 11 2.18

A grade 7-9 middle school would be bettersolution.

23 12 1.92

Retention of teaching staff. 19 8 2.38Bullying 18 7 2.579 years in one school are too many. 15 7 2.14Split grades 15 9 1.67Concerns about conditions of portables. 14 7 2.00Potential unforeseen future growth of schoolsdue to industry growth

14 7 2.00

Closing newer schools vs older schools. 13 7 1.86Concern for the use of the junior secondarybuilding and grounds.

13 5 2.60

K-8 configuration will not attract people to thearea.

13 7 1.86

Students currently in Grade 7 may have thesame teacher again for Grade 8

10 6 1.67

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Allocation of budget targets the wrongconfiguration.

9 5 1.80

Ensuring community support 7 4 1.75Bussing distances have negative impact onkids.

5 3 1.67

Finding space for the extra grade 9 studentsat PSO

4 2 2.00

Busing costs are going to increase. 1 1 1.00

Elementary school is not appropriate en… 61.0Condition of 100 Mile Elementary 58.0Limited electives for Grade 8 students. 53.0Placement of Grade 8 french immersion s… 42.02 major renovations: 100 Mile Elementar… 39.0Classroom spaces are not suitable for g… 37.0Support for high-needs students impacte… 35.0Sufficient staffing levels at elementar… 34.0Limited program choices 32.0Other (19) 268.0

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Q2: What do you feel are the key benefits with the options being proposed in the Initial Options Report as they relateto your school and community?


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overall rating participant count average ratingImprovements to 100 Mile Elementary 48 18 2.67there are no key beneifits 44 7 6.29Grade 8's in protective elementaryenvironment take on leadership roles

28 12 2.33

Less transition for students. 28 13 2.15Keeping Grade 8s in elementary createsstability during period of emotional change.

21 9 2.33

Closing JR might allow a community facility toopen in that space

18 9 2.00

Better management of resources 16 9 1.78Leadership and mentoring opportunities fornew Grade 9s.

16 6 2.67

Less PAC fundraising necessary 12 6 2.00This configuration (K-8, 9-12) seems to workin other provinces. ie. Ontario

10 6 1.67

added financial support. 9 6 1.50Efficiency and safety 9 7 1.29Grade 7 and 8 do not belong in a school bythemselves.

5 3 1.67

Higher elementary enrollment will lead to lessfuture closures.

4 3 1.33

Positive impact of a vast age differential inK-8.

4 4 1.00

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Improvements to 100 Mile Elementary 48.0there are no key beneifits 44.0Grade 8's in protective elementary envi… 28.0Less transition for students. 28.0Keeping Grade 8s in elementary creates … 21.0Closing JR might allow a community faci… 18.0Better management of resources 16.0Leadership and mentoring opportunities … 16.0Less PAC fundraising necessary 12.0Other (6) 41.0

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Q3: What would you do differently from the proposed changes to SD27?


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overall rating participant count average ratingConfigure PSO as Grade 8-12 62 18 3.44Reintroducing the late french immersionprogram

45 15 3.00

Do not eliminate those that work directly withstudents.

37 15 2.47

Ensure buildings and grounds receive properupgrades.

36 14 2.57

Clarify the situation with Grade 8's electivechoices.

28 13 2.15

Ensure funds from selling JR are for upgradesONLY

28 13 2.15

Creation of a Super School with additionalrural closures.

26 8 3.25

Keep 100 Mile Jr open and combinecampuses with PSO.

26 9 2.89

Be clear about the condition of the JuniorHigh.

25 10 2.50

More support for most vulnerable students 23 11 2.09Convert Jr High to an aquatic centre or othercommunity resource

22 9 2.44

Use community venues to address gymspace issues at the PSO

19 8 2.38

Use the 100 Mile Junior High to eliminate theneed for portables

18 8 2.25

Close down the small rural schools instead ofthe big ones in town

17 5 3.40

Make 100 Mile Junior a K-7 or K-8 school. 16 7 2.29Make each and every Trustee visit BuffaloCreek and Forest Grove schools

14 6 2.33

Present Savings for stakeholders to review. 13 4 3.25Close sell 100 Mile Elementary. 10 4 2.50Shuffle fewer elementary students 8 4 2.00Retain the junior and let it start making moneyfor the district

8 5 1.60

Communication implications of Grade 8'sgoing to PSO.

6 3 2.00

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Keep the land that the secondary school sitson.

6 2 3.00

Do not close Buffalo Creek school 5 3 1.67Collaboration from additional stakeholders 4 2 2.00Nothing 0 0 0.00

Configure PSO as Grade 8-12 62.0Reintroducing the late french immersion… 45.0Do not eliminate those that work direct… 37.0Ensure buildings and grounds receive pr… 36.0Clarify the situation with Grade 8's el… 28.0Ensure funds from selling JR are for up… 28.0Creation of a Super School with additio… 26.0Keep 100 Mile Jr open and combine campu… 26.0Be clear about the condition of the Jun… 25.0Other (16) 189.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingGrade 8 should not be elementary - sociallytoo mature to be with younger students

52 15 3.47

Kids in grade 8 getting electives. 41 18 2.28Finding a way to offer grade 7 8 variety andchallenge

36 14 2.57

Grade 8 in elementary school - grade 8's areready for change and new challenges

35 14 2.50

Will the students receive quality educationwith adequate (support) staff?

32 12 2.67

A mistake to close 100 Mile Jr. SecondarySchool

29 12 2.42

Teachers for the grade 8s 24 10 2.40High step up for grade 9 students 23 9 2.56Need transition school between elementaryand high school

22 10 2.20

Elementary building requires upgrades 15 8 1.88Getting everyone on board: teacher,community members students

15 6 2.50

Integrating children of different developmentalstages.

15 6 2.50

Potential for increased bullying in elementaryschools due to age

15 7 2.14

Space in the Ogden School? 14 6 2.33District/provincial continuity of gradeconfigurations

13 6 2.17

Making the Grade 8's feel like role models 13 5 2.60Challenges with Forest Grove and BuffaloCreek

10 5 2.00

Strong Start to have a class room 10 5 2.00Adding another grade to 100 Mile Elemwithout overcrowding the classrooms

9 7 1.29

How adaptable/flexible is this plan? 6 4 1.50One of the key challenges will be selling theland the 100 Mile Junior

5 3 1.67

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Inability to collaborate with community andcommunity use of schools

4 2 2.00

People are leaving 100 Mile House 2 2 1.00Additional costs to the budget, because ofelectives?

1 1 1.00

Grade 8 should not be elementary - soci… 52.0Kids in grade 8 getting electives. 41.0Finding a way to offer grade 7 & 8 vari… 36.0Grade 8 in elementary school - grade 8'… 35.0Will the students receive quality educa… 32.0A mistake to close 100 Mile Jr. Seconda… 29.0Teachers for the grade 8s 24.0High step up for grade 9 students 23.0Need transition school between elementa… 22.0Other (15) 147.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingKeeping as many outlying elementary schoolsopen as long as possible with increasednumbers

27 11 2.45

Repeating a class is possible if all high schoolgrades are at one school

24 9 2.67

Better use of funding. 20 9 2.22Better utilizing of buildings and resources 20 12 1.67Funds from sale of Junior High and land toimprove other schools

14 9 1.56

Cut cost of heating empty classrooms andbuildings on school properties.

13 7 1.86

Closing or combining rural schools 11 5 2.20Grade 8 needs are better served by beingwith younger children.

11 5 2.20

Grade 8's getting more teacher relationshipbuilding time

10 6 1.67

Increased maintenance of facilities 9 5 1.80A better transition to Grade Nine 8 5 1.60Better social outcomes with leadership ofolder students

8 6 1.33

Middle schools seem to be difficult for mostkids.

6 3 2.00

Keeping as many outlying elementary sch… 27.0Repeating a class is possible if all hi… 24.0Better use of funding. 20.0Better utilizing of buildings and resou… 20.0Funds from sale of Junior High and land… 14.0Cut cost of heating empty classrooms an… 13.0Closing or combining rural schools … 11.0Grade 8 needs are better served by bein… 11.0Grade 8's getting more teacher relation… 10.0Other (4) 31.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingLook at the seamless continuum of servicesthat could be offered from childcare andpreschool

39 8 4.88

Elementary school need to stay k-7 31 10 3.108th and 9th graders to PSO. 27 12 2.25Electives for grade 7 and 8 in elementary 24 8 3.00Keep the jr 24 8 3.00Grade 8's need to be at "older school". 23 10 2.30No changes 23 6 3.83Closing schools always hurts the communityregardless of the pros cons

18 8 2.25

Have an 8-12 high school make grade 8 anoption for parents

18 7 2.57

Investigate the difference in the 100 MileElementary and the Junior re: renovationcosts

16 9 1.78

Base decisions on evidence based research -learn from others!

16 7 2.29

set up a 20-25 year vision for the district 13 7 1.86I think the changes have been well thoughtout as long as the guidelines are followedthrough

12 6 2.00

Make junior site into elementary. 11 5 2.20Upgrade or rebuild the 100 Mile Juniorschool.

9 5 1.80

Buffalo Creek over Forest Grove?? 8 3 2.67Close more small schools 7 4 1.75Close off part of jr high school and remainopen

7 4 1.75

Offer a referendum to those affected by theclosure of Buffalo Creek.

4 2 2.00

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Look at the seamless continuum of servi… 39.0Elementary school need to stay k-7 31.08th and 9th graders to PSO. 27.0Electives for grade 7 and 8 in elementa… 24.0Keep the jr 24.0Grade 8's need to be at "older school". 23.0No changes 23.0Closing schools always hurts the commun… 18.0Have an 8-12 high school make grade 8 a… 18.0Other (10) 103.0

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overall rating participant count average rating12 year old's (some still 11) should not be in ahigh school setting.

55 20 2.75

Challenges of kids going back and forth fromone campus to another

36 18 2.00

More bullying issues due to the age difference 36 16 2.25Teacher-to-Student Ratios 17 9 1.89Worried that the kids will not get qualityindividualized learning

16 6 2.67

Over crowding and flooding these schools willonly cause more problems

14 8 1.75

Having grade 7's in a school where there isnothing for them to do during breaks - swingsetc

12 7 1.71

Ensuring that the Board's Focus is theStudents

10 6 1.67

School closure of Kwaleen and Glendalenegative for children families

10 6 1.67

Administration may be Overly Stretched 8 4 2.00Too long of busing routes 8 3 2.67Diluting opportunities for elective courses withtwo campuses

3 2 1.50

Fiscal Considerations and School Closures 3 3 1.00

12 year old's (some still 11) should no… 55.0Challenges of kids going back and forth… 36.0More bullying issues due to the age dif… 36.0Teacher-to-Student Ratios 17.0Worried that the kids will not get qual… 16.0Over crowding and flooding these school… 14.0Having grade 7's in a school where ther… 12.0Ensuring that the Board's Focus is the … 10.0School closure of Kwaleen and Glendale … 10.0Other (4) 22.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingFinancial improvements to the Board's currentsituation.

24 15 1.60

Closing some of the small elementary schools- better opportunities at bigger schools

13 7 1.86

Some more specialized classes and teachers. 10 8 1.25Better course choices 9 8 1.12Opportunity for kids to work at their own pace. 9 5 1.80

Financial improvements to the Board's c… 24.0Closing some of the small elementary sc… 13.0Some more specialized classes and teach… 10.0Better course choices 9.0Opportunity for kids to work at their o… 9.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingCreate a Middle School (7-9) and a HighSchool (10-12)

39 11 3.55

Keep the Grade 7 students in elementaryschool.

38 16 2.38

Grade 8-10 and grade 11-12 separate school,one campus

33 12 2.75

Create a middle school 25 12 2.08Improve Education and school invironments 20 8 2.50Ensure support and systems are set up forthe Grade 7 students if they must go into highschool

16 7 2.29

Close more under utilized schools such asLikely and Big Lake.

12 4 3.00

Make elementary schools K-8 rather than theproposed K-6 in Williams Lake.

12 6 2.00

Look at various options to minimize busingbetween two campuses

10 6 1.67

Reconsider the Hockey Program 9 4 2.25One highschool one specialty school 4 3 1.33Consider making Marie Sharpe a year roundschool.

2 2 1.00

Consolidate to one or two schools instead ofthe proposed four.

1 1 1.00

7-12 at 1 campus or jr/sr option. 0 0 0.00

Create a Middle School (7-9) and a High… 39.0Keep the Grade 7 students in elementary… 38.0Grade 8-10 and grade 11-12 separate sch… 33.0Create a middle school 25.0Improve Education and school invironmen… 20.0Ensure support and systems are set up f… 16.0Close more under utilized schools such … 12.0Make elementary schools K-8 rather than… 12.0Look at various options to minimize bus… 10.0Other (5) 16.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingCommunities without schools don't attractfamilies.

13 6 2.17

Grade 7 students are too young for 7-12configuration.

9 6 1.50

Rural grade 7's will choose to attend townschools which will lower enrollment.

9 7 1.29

Teacher would have to cover K-6 in one roomclassroom if Grade 7s are gone.

8 4 2.00

Busing between classes 7 5 1.40Williams Lake East schools need repairs 4 3 1.33Existing empty school properties. 0 0 0.00

Communities without schools don't attra… 13.0Grade 7 students are too young for 7-12… 9.0Rural grade 7's will choose to attend t… 9.0Teacher would have to cover K-6 in one … 8.0Busing between classes 7.0Williams Lake East schools need repairs 4.0Other (1) 0.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingKeeping the rural schools open supportscommunities.

21 9 2.33

Our children are able to stay in the communityfor their schooling.

11 6 1.83

Grade 7s and up have a choice to stay or goto Williams Lake.

9 6 1.50

Consolidating schools in town 8 4 2.00Choice for Rural Schools to remain K-7 allowsthe Grade 7s to mentor younger students.

5 3 1.67

Upgrading our schools to be more efficient. 4 3 1.33Expanded course options with 2 campuses. 3 2 1.50Shifting Grade 7s to the high school makessense.

3 3 1.00

Offering more choices of classes, electivesand upgrades will attract families to thecommunity.

2 2 1.00

School closure approach providesconsistency for kids.

0 0 0.00

Keeping the rural schools open supports… 21.0Our children are able to stay in the co… 11.0Grade 7s and up have a choice to stay o… 9.0Consolidating schools in town 8.0Choice for Rural Schools to remain K-7 … 5.0Upgrading our schools to be more effici… 4.0Expanded course options with 2 campuses… 3.0Shifting Grade 7s to the high school ma… 3.0Offering more choices of classes, elect… 2.0Other (1) 0.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingHigh schools made into 7,8,9 and then a10,11,12

16 7 2.29

Hire local rural school groundskeepers 14 8 1.75Look at cutting costs in management andadministrative levels.

10 5 2.00

Eliminate the School Of Choice Option 3 1 3.00Keep two High schools if possible, move 7sinto High School classrooms.

3 1 3.00

Review Catchment Areas 3 3 1.00K-8 and 9-12 OR K-7 and 8-12 with singlehigh school on 2 campuses

2 1 2.00

Implement K-8 in Williams Lake too 2 2 1.00I would not do anything differently. 0 0 0.00

High schools made into 7,8,9 and then a… 16.0Hire local rural school groundskeepers 14.0Look at cutting costs in management and… 10.0Eliminate the School Of Choice Option 3.0Keep two High schools if possible, move… 3.0Review Catchment Areas 3.0K-8 and 9-12 OR K-7 and 8-12 with sing… 2.0Implement K-8 in Williams Lake too 2.0Other (1) 0.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingNegative impact on staff. 10 4 2.50Children/Parents not wanting to attend ForestGrove Elementary.

9 3 3.00

Concern for meeting the needs of specialneeds students doing well in currentconfiguration.

9 4 2.25

Initial options report will leave no choice forschool attendance

9 4 2.25

Gr.8 students need to move on to a moremature environment.

7 4 1.75

School closures result in empty, unusedbuildings with safety and maintenance issues.

6 3 2.00

Transportation 2 1 2.00Bus Costs? Will there be more stress addedhere?

1 1 1.00

Children have to attend an older school 1 1 1.00Gaining acceptance of the proposal. 0 0 0.00

Negative impact on staff. 10.0Children/Parents not wanting to attend … 9.0Concern for meeting the needs of specia… 9.0Initial options report will leave no ch… 9.0Gr.8 students need to move on to a more… 7.0School closures result in empty, unused… 6.0Transportation 2.0Bus Costs? Will there be more stress ad… 1.0Children have to attend an older school 1.0Other (1) 0.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingLess transitions. 8 3 2.67Saving government money. 5 3 1.67Closing schools should increase funding atremaining schools

0 0 0.00

Less transitions. 8.0Saving government money. 5.0Other (1) 0.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingDon't close Buffalo Creek Elementary 15 6 2.50Give the parents choice for which school tosend their children to

7 3 2.33

Send the grade 8's to PSO as well. 7 4 1.75An 8-12 configuration 6 3 2.00Promote the smaller, outlying schools. 5 3 1.67Consider the closure of Forest grove instead. 3 1 3.00Consider next year's closures. 3 2 1.50Consider the school improvements requiredwhen closing schools.

3 2 1.50

Offer parents a choice of school closures. 3 2 1.50Bussing of the students 1 1 1.00Use Eliza Archie Memorial School. 1 1 1.00Consider the unique needs of Grade eights. 0 0 0.00

Don't close Buffalo Creek Elementary 15.0Give the parents choice for which schoo… 7.0Send the grade 8's to PSO as well. 7.0An 8-12 configuration 6.0Promote the smaller, outlying schools. 5.0Consider the closure of Forest grove in… 3.0Consider next year's closures. 3.0Consider the school improvements requir… 3.0Offer parents a choice of school closur… 3.0Other (3) 2.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingShuttling children between two campuses 21 8 2.62Ensuring grade 7 kids have a comfortablelearning environment

16 7 2.29

Age range from Grades 7 to 12 too great. 15 6 2.50Having lockers, classes and bus pickups in 2different locations for students

11 5 2.20

The voices and opinions of the children notbeing considered

11 4 2.75

Where will a leadership role for gr. 9 or 10with a gr 7-12 school be?

9 4 2.25

Cataline being able to fit that many kids 7 3 2.33Too much change, too fast can be verydifficult

7 4 1.75

Trying to close schools and cut cost atexpense of children

7 3 2.33

Too long of transportation time for children onlong bus rides

6 2 3.00

Too many students 6 3 2.00Scheduling for the two campus model 5 3 1.67Some programs will be lost by closing someschools.

5 3 1.67

Compromises for everyone; not focusing onwhat we really need.

4 3 1.33

A good, useful building sitting empty 3 2 1.50School Closures 3 1 3.00Revenue opportunities being missed withempty buildings and vacant land

0 0 0.00

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Shuttling children between two campuses 21.0Ensuring grade 7 kids have a comfortabl… 16.0Age range from Grades 7 to 12 too great… 15.0Having lockers, classes and bus pickups… 11.0The voices and opinions of the children… 11.0Where will a leadership role for gr. 9 … 9.0Cataline being able to fit that many ki… 7.0Too much change, too fast can be very d… 7.0Trying to close schools and cut cost at… 7.0Other (8) 32.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingBy closing schools the costs to the schooldistrict will be decreased.

18 9 2.00

Consolidation of resources 13 7 1.86More course selection and opportunities forstudents

5 3 1.67

To have grade 7's in a pod for the oneschool/2 campus model

5 2 2.50

Early engagement with the community 4 2 2.00More unified teaching. 3 2 1.50Easier transition from grade 7 to grade 8 1 1 1.00

By closing schools the costs to the sch… 18.0Consolidation of resources 13.0More course selection and opportunities… 5.0To have grade 7's in a pod for the one … 5.0Early engagement with the community 4.0More unified teaching. 3.0Easier transition from grade 7 to grade… 1.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingMinimize movement between campuses asmuch as possible

24 10 2.40

Offer a junior/middle school option. 22 9 2.441 Middle school 1 high school 15 6 2.50Ensure the appropriate number of studentsand teachers are in each school

14 8 1.75

Consider why so many children are not intheir designated schools.

6 3 2.00

Create a k-12 Traditional school 3 1 3.00Look at all revenue opportunities and costcenters in a holistic long term manner

1 1 1.00

Consider having Nesika hold all Grade 7's 1 1 1.00Consider Marie Sharpe or Nesika as 2ndcampus

1 1 1.00

Not close Wildwood and other out of townschools.

0 0 0.00

Minimize movement between campuses as m… 24.0Offer a junior/middle school option. 22.01 Middle school 1 high school 15.0Ensure the appropriate number of studen… 14.0Consider why so many children are not i… 6.0Create a k-12 Traditional school 3.0Look at all revenue opportunities and c… 1.0Consider having Nesika hold all Grade 7… 1.0Consider Marie Sharpe or Nesika as 2nd … 1.0Other (1) 0.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingGrades 7-12 together is not a good idea 84 29 2.901 school, 2 campuses has many challenges 34 17 2.00No other options to consider 30 14 2.14Fitting additional K- 6 students into alreadyfull schools

27 16 1.69

Scheduling classes for grades 7-12 20 10 2.00Transportation of students within the district 20 13 1.54Creating a sense of belonging 14 8 1.75Not enough details in the Options Report tofully understand how it will all work

12 6 2.00

Closing Kwaleen 10 6 1.67Taking away choices by closing schools ofchoice

7 5 1.40

Getting the parents to buy into the plan 6 5 1.20One of the challenges would be having aneven more declined enrollment.

5 4 1.25

Grades 7-12 together is not a good idea 84.01 school, 2 campuses has many challenge… 34.0No other options to consider 30.0Fitting additional K- 6 students into a… 27.0Scheduling classes for grades 7-12 20.0Transportation of students within the d… 20.0Creating a sense of belonging 14.0Not enough details in the Options Repor… 12.0Closing Kwaleen 10.0Other (3) 18.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingMoving budget from maintaining buildings toeducating students

37 18 2.06

Greater curriculum options. 25 12 2.08Increased numbers would better secureschools for the future

25 13 1.92

Closing some of the elementary schools 23 10 2.30Cost savings 17 11 1.55Better extra curricular opportunties 7 5 1.40Better opportunities for grade 7 students 5 3 1.67

Moving budget from maintaining building… 37.0Greater curriculum options. 25.0Increased numbers would better secure s… 25.0Closing some of the elementary schools 23.0Cost savings 17.0Better extra curricular opportunties 7.0Better opportunities for grade 7 studen… 5.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingConsider a middle or junior high school 66 26 2.54Keep grade 7 students out of high schools 66 26 2.54Drop the two campus model 31 16 1.94Consider K to 8 28 13 2.15Get community input early in process 10 5 2.00Change catchment areas to manageelementary school numbers

9 6 1.50

Consider an "All Year" School CalendarOption (like Glendale's)

5 5 1.00

Keep Kwaleen and Glendale Open 5 2 2.50Close Lac La Hache elementary 3 2 1.50Rebuild Marie Sharpe 2 1 2.00

Consider a middle or junior high school 66.0Keep grade 7 students out of high schoo… 66.0Drop the two campus model 31.0Consider K to 8 28.0Get community input early in process 10.0Change catchment areas to manage elemen… 9.0Consider an "All Year" School Calendar … 5.0Keep Kwaleen and Glendale Open 5.0Close Lac La Hache elementary 3.0Rebuild Marie Sharpe 2.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingGrade 7 students should not be in high school 137 36 3.81Transitions between schools is challenging forstudents

122 46 2.65

Busing and transportation issues betweenschools and campuses

96 41 2.34

Difficult to help vulnerable students with thetwo campus model

74 33 2.24

Size of 7-12 population 73 34 2.15Maintaining a productive learningenvironment

72 35 2.06

Maintaining belonging and sense ofcommunity

64 33 1.94

Monitoring bullying in one school, 2 buildingmodel

60 29 2.07

Students want choices of classes andteachers for those classes.

58 26 2.23

issues with teaching staff 52 28 1.86Teachers to prepare Grade 6 students forhigh school.

51 23 2.22

The Initial Options Report is challenging toaccept

48 23 2.09

Negative changes for students 44 23 1.91Length of school day due to transportationissues

37 24 1.54

Ability to provide the required courses 30 14 2.14Drop out rates 28 17 1.65Fiscal Responsibility 28 12 2.33Some programs will be lost by closingschools.

24 16 1.50

Lack of room in elementary schools 22 11 2.00Marie Sharpe is like an "inner city" Schooland not desirable.

20 12 1.67

Extra administrative cost all around. 19 12 1.58Impacts to sports programs 15 9 1.67

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Home schooling only option for parents to optout of choices.

13 9 1.44

Negative impact on French Immersionstudents

11 7 1.57

Closed schools cannot be reopened if theplan fails.

10 6 1.67

Lost jobs in a time where we needemployment

10 9 1.11

Choosing exactly which elementary schoolsto close

3 3 1.00

Grade 7 students should not be in high … 137.0Transitions between schools is challeng… 122.0Busing and transportation issues betwee… 96.0Difficult to help vulnerable students w… 74.0Size of 7-12 population 73.0Maintaining a productive learning envir… 72.0Maintaining belonging and sense of comm… 64.0Monitoring bullying in one school, 2 bu… 60.0Students want choices of classes and te… 58.0Other (18) 465.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingSave the School District money 58 29 2.00Closing some elementary schools is a must. 52 24 2.17Fewer multi-grade classrooms at elementary 52 22 2.36More electives and opportunities for students 41 21 1.95Recognition of the importance of rural school 39 19 2.05Maximizing the space in the schools 36 18 2.00Increasing high school sports teams 31 16 1.94Additional student support staff 28 16 1.75Not having a middle school 13 7 1.86Having grade 7 in high school 11 6 1.83Diversity means increased opportunities forfriendship.

8 7 1.14

An increase in number of students. 7 4 1.751 high school with 2 campuses. 6 4 1.50Organize system by demographics, eliminate"elite" schools

3 2 1.50

Save the School District money 58.0Closing some elementary schools is a mu… 52.0Fewer multi-grade classrooms at element… 52.0More electives and opportunities for st… 41.0Recognition of the importance of rural … 39.0Maximizing the space in the schools 36.0Increasing high school sports teams 31.0Additional student support staff 28.0Not having a middle school 13.0Other (5) 35.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingImplement a middle school and a high school. 132 38 3.47

Have WL be a middle school for gr's 6-8; andColumneetza be 9-12

102 35 2.91

Don't amalgamate Grade 7s into secondaryschool setting.

97 34 2.85

Ensure that most qualified teachers areteaching what they are trained in.

87 33 2.64

Don't implement the 2 campuses, 1 school asproposed

83 29 2.86

Use 2013/2014 to increase awareness andinvolve community.

53 24 2.21

Utilize school and community services tomaximize benefits and save on cost

48 18 2.67

Cost cutting at District office 46 24 1.92

Keep unique elementary school programmingintact

45 21 2.14

Keep buses free 44 20 2.20

Further explore 21st Century Learningopportunities

35 16 2.19

Students should be staying in their homecommunities as long as possible

33 18 1.83

All elementary k-8, and one secondary 9-12,. 31 13 2.38

7, 8, 9, and 10 in WLSS and Columneetzahas 11 and 12.

31 12 2.58

Consider closing Marie Sharpe school 29 17 1.71

I would consider closing Nesika and annexingit to Columneetza.

25 16 1.56

Keep Glendale open 25 11 2.27

Inform parents in a more timely matter. 24 11 2.18

2 High schools, 2 campuses 18 8 2.25

Concentrate on academics not trades buthave them available.

13 6 2.17

Consider housing all alternate programs andthe administration in WL.

13 7 1.86

Don't change the current system 9 4 2.25

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Bring in an expert or team of experts in thisarea

4 4 1.00

Change the names of the junior high andsenior high in WL

2 2 1.00

Implement a middle school and a high sc… 132.0Have WL be a middle school for gr's 6-8… 102.0Don't amalgamate Grade 7s into secondar… 97.0Ensure that most qualified teachers are… 87.0Don't implement the 2 campuses, 1 schoo… 83.0Use 2013/2014 to increase awareness and… 53.0Utilize school and community services t… 48.0Cost cutting at District office 46.0Keep unique elementary school programmi… 45.0Other (15) 336.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingElectives for Grade 8s 15 5 3.00Increased class sizes 9 5 1.80Overcrowding as a result of parents enrollingchildren where they aren't supposed to

9 5 1.80

Closing rural schools creates hard feelings 7 4 1.75Grade eight students in an elementaryenvironment

5 3 1.67

Loss of jobs in the closing schools 5 2 2.50Improper gym sizes for Grade eights 4 2 2.00Bigger class sizes make it difficult to focus onindividual student needs.

3 3 1.00

Students will have to be transported further. 3 2 1.50Difficult for some parents to deal with. 2 2 1.00Making everyone aware of the changes 2 2 1.00Bullying 1 1 1.00Grade eight sports inaccessible 1 1 1.00Grade sevens miss out on electives they arelooking forward to and may fall behind

1 1 1.00

Electives for Grade 8s 15.0Increased class sizes 9.0Overcrowding as a result of parents enr… 9.0Closing rural schools creates hard feel… 7.0Grade eight students in an elementary e… 5.0Loss of jobs in the closing schools 5.0Improper gym sizes for Grade eights 4.0Bigger class sizes make it difficult to… 3.0Students will have to be transported fu… 3.0Other (5) 7.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingBetter chances of getting more resources forthe remaining schools

10 6 1.67

Good for the community 8 5 1.60Reduction of split grade classrooms. 7 4 1.75Larger and more diverse social/peer groupsfor the recombined students

5 4 1.25

Less cost of education in the infrastructure,and more for the kids

5 4 1.25

Larger pool of Families that can assist withschool related activities

4 3 1.33

Less difficult transitions for the students 2 2 1.00Reduction in behavioural problems in JuniorHigh level.

2 1 2.00

Better chances of getting more resource… 10.0Good for the community 8.0Reduction of split grade classrooms. 7.0Larger and more diverse social/peer gro… 5.0Less cost of education in the infrastru… 5.0Larger pool of Families that can assist… 4.0Less difficult transitions for the stud… 2.0Reduction in behavioural problems in Ju… 2.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingThe catchment area rules should be followedmore strictly than they are.

15 6 2.50

Elementary: K-7 , High School: 8-12 9 5 1.80A separate program with more choice shouldfor Gr 6-8 to replace Jr High experience

5 2 2.50

More support should be provided for the highneed students.

4 2 2.00

nothing 0 0 0.00

The catchment area rules should be foll… 15.0Elementary: K-7 , High School: 8-12 9.0A separate program with more choice sho… 5.0More support should be provided for the… 4.0Other (1) 0.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingSchool capacity and class sizes at the newschool - too big to ensure needs of childrenare met.

33 14 2.36

Grade 7 students being too young to bemixed into a secondary school

19 9 2.11

Moving the French Immersion again isfrustrating

19 8 2.38

Busing between two campuses 18 5 3.60How to save money and give the students thebest education.

14 5 2.80

A high school split across 2 campuses 12 6 2.00Minimal sense of community betweenstudents, teachers, other staff at largerschools

11 5 2.20

Choices in elementary school educationoptions are decreased in Report

10 5 2.00

Emotional and mental burnout of studentstransitioning away from the balanced calendarprogram

10 6 1.67

Too many unknowns about how things wouldwork with proposed changes

8 3 2.67

Trying to find strong administration for a twocampus school

6 2 3.00

Insecurity and resistance of the general publictowards the district and the proposedchanges

4 4 1.00

Longer distances for children to travel forthose living in the Glendale school catchment

3 2 1.50

Teacher job loss 3 2 1.50Where does theater group go? 0 0 0.00

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School capacity and class sizes at the … 33.0Grade 7 students being too young to be … 19.0Moving the French Immersion again is fr… 19.0Busing between two campuses 18.0How to save money and give the students… 14.0A high school split across 2 campuses 12.0Minimal sense of community between stud… 11.0Choices in elementary school education … 10.0Emotional and mental burnout of student… 10.0Other (6) 24.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingBetter fiscal responsibility 12 10 1.20Schools operate at higher level of efficiency 11 8 1.38More money for remaining schools andprograms

10 6 1.67

Centralized location may increase interest inFrench immersion program

9 7 1.29

A great high school experience with a widevariety of educational options.

6 5 1.20

Creating a 10 year vision for the district 4 4 1.00

Better fiscal responsibility 12.0Schools operate at higher level of effi… 11.0More money for remaining schools and pr… 10.0Centralized location may increase inter… 9.0A great high school experience with a w… 6.0Creating a 10 year vision for the distr… 4.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingKeep grade 7 students out of the high school 27 11 2.45

Junior Secondary School or middle schooland a Senior Secondary School

24 9 2.67

Glendale school should become anelementary of choice

16 7 2.29

Provide the french immersion with a viableoption for growing within

16 8 2.00

K-8 15 7 2.14

Explor other configurations with Wildwood,Glendale, Kwaleen and Chilcotin Road

12 6 2.00

Focus on smooth and supportive transitionsfor those that need to occur

9 4 2.25

Consider closing different schools 9 4 2.25

Create one high school 8 5 1.60

Join Likely and Big Lake school in Big Lakefacility

8 5 1.60

8-12 one school, two campus 5 3 1.67

Balanced calendar district wide. 5 4 1.25

Consider optional ways to get the schoolsrefurbished keep maintained

5 3 1.67

Try to change course scheduling to lengthenclass so less busing

5 3 1.67

Let parents chose which school to transfer toand support that choice

4 2 2.00

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Keep grade 7 students out of the high s… 27.0Junior Secondary School or middle schoo… 24.0Glendale school should become an elemen… 16.0Provide the french immersion with a via… 16.0K-8 15.0Explor other configurations with Wildwo… 12.0Focus on smooth and supportive transiti… 9.0Consider closing different schools 9.0Create one high school 8.0Other (6) 32.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingTwo sites for one high school will result intransition issues.

17 7 2.43

This report doesn't address 21st CenturyLearning and alternate program opportunities

12 5 2.40

More parental involvement 10 1 10.00Grade 7 students are too young andimpressionable to be with the older grades.

8 3 2.67

Absenteeism at secondary school classescould result due to transport issues.

7 3 2.33

Accountability within the new system. 7 2 3.50Junior and Senior student mix 7 3 2.33Lack of balance for students. 4 2 2.00The junior secondary won't be easy to sell. 4 2 2.00Consolidation of the secondary schools intoone

3 1 3.00

Changes will negatively impact Aboriginalstudents.

2 1 2.00

Burden on teachers with the gr 7 transition. 0 0 0.00

Two sites for one high school will resu… 17.0This report doesn't address 21st Centur… 12.0More parental involvement 10.0Grade 7 students are too young and impr… 8.0Absenteeism at secondary school classes… 7.0Accountability within the new system. 7.0Junior and Senior student mix 7.0Lack of balance for students. 4.0The junior secondary won't be easy to s… 4.0Other (3) 5.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingRetention of Marie Sharpe School/ Skyline incentral town

11 5 2.20

I appreciate the opportunity to providefeedback.

8 4 2.00

Cost Savings 7 4 1.75Increased opportunities for extra-curricularactivities.

7 4 1.75

More programs available to students 6 3 2.00Better addressing the needs of the students. 4 2 2.00Efficient use of buildings and staff 4 3 1.33Minimizes transitions for students 2 1 2.00Better teaching. 1 1 1.00

Retention of Marie Sharpe School/ Skyli… 11.0I appreciate the opportunity to provide… 8.0Cost Savings 7.0Increased opportunities for extra-curri… 7.0More programs available to students 6.0Better addressing the needs of the stud… 4.0Efficient use of buildings and staff 4.0Minimizes transitions for students 2.0Better teaching. 1.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingExpand homeschooling opportunities. 14 5 2.80Students should have earlier options forelectives and trade/job training.

14 5 2.80

Expand Online learning/GROW programoptions for Secondary Students.

11 5 2.20

Create junior high at Williams Lake and highschool at Columneetza.

9 4 2.25

Establish a middle school. 7 4 1.75Define government cutbacks and budgetswith numbers in the proposal.

4 2 2.00

Sharing these buildings with community. 4 2 2.00Utilize the month of June to teach to the endof the year

4 2 2.00

Lay off at least half or more of the schooldistrict office

3 1 3.00

Space the students more to bring down theclass sizes

3 2 1.50

Bring in younger and middle aged teachers toconnect with students.

2 2 1.00

Eliminate fall break 2 2 1.00Combine spring break with Easter 1 1 1.00Consider retaining one traditional school. 1 1 1.00Downgrade usage but maintain all ruralschools

0 0 0.00

Nothing 0 0 0.00

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Expand homeschooling opportunities. 14.0Students should have earlier options fo… 14.0Expand Online learning/GROW program opt… 11.0Create junior high at Williams Lake and… 9.0Establish a middle school. 7.0Define government cutbacks and budgets … 4.0Sharing these buildings with community. 4.0Utilize the month of June to teach to t… 4.0Lay off at least half or more of the sc… 3.0Other (7) 9.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingGrade eights should have access to electives. 10 5 2.00Consistent quality of education across thedistrict.

7 5 1.40

Concern that Horse Lake will be closed 6 3 2.00Potential overcrowding at PSO elementaryschools

6 4 1.50

Selling the junior high school. 6 3 2.00Grade 8's are too mature for elementary. 3 2 1.50Kids won't get the extra help and support theyneed in bigger schools.

3 3 1.00

More small, rural schools should be closed 1 1 1.00Grade nines are not mature enough for PSO. 0 0 0.00

Grade eights should have access to elec… 10.0Consistent quality of education across … 7.0Concern that Horse Lake will be closed 6.0Potential overcrowding at PSO & element… 6.0Selling the junior high school. 6.0Grade 8's are too mature for elementary… 3.0Kids won't get the extra help and suppo… 3.0More small, rural schools should be clo… 1.0Other (1) 0.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingKeeping smaller schools open. 13 5 2.60Better use of space. 5 4 1.25Increase the capacity of PSO. 5 2 2.50The K-8 configuration. 5 3 1.67A balanced fiscal budget. 4 4 1.00Save money. 4 3 1.33Closure of the small schools 1 1 1.00Putting more grades in 1 high school. 1 1 1.00

Keeping smaller schools open. 13.0Better use of space. 5.0Increase the capacity of PSO. 5.0The K-8 configuration. 5.0A balanced fiscal budget. 4.0Save money. 4.0Closure of the small schools 1.0Putting more grades in 1 high school. 1.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingUnique program for Grade eights. 11 5 2.20PSO should be Gr. 8-12. 6 2 3.00Students should only be in portables for partof the day.

4 2 2.00

Elementary stay to grade 7. 4 2 2.00Elementary schools: K-6. Jr High: 7-9. PSO:10-12

2 1 2.00

Leave the Junior High as it is in 100 MileHouse

1 1 1.00

Different situation than the 2 campuses atWilliams Lake.

0 0 0.00

Close all small rural schools in 100 Mile area. 0 0 0.00

Unique program for Grade eights. 11.0PSO should be Gr. 8-12. 6.0Students should only be in portables fo… 4.0Elementary stay to grade 7. 4.0Elementary schools: K-6. Jr High: 7-9.… 2.0Leave the Junior High as it is in 100 M… 1.0Other (2) 0.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingClosing elementary schools. 41 16 2.56Report does not put safety and well being ofstudents first.

40 17 2.35

Age configuration of 7-12 is not appropriate 38 14 2.71The inability of Chilcotin Road School toaccommodate Kwaleen students.

36 16 2.25

Removing choices of schools and programs 31 15 2.07Lack of foresight and long term planningregarding future growth

21 12 1.75

District decision making needs to be moretransparent and open to input.

15 7 2.14

Busing challenges between 2 campuses 13 8 1.62Logistic challenges of two campus school andthe lack of 'belonging' for students

13 6 2.17

This option does not reduce the number oftransitions for students

12 7 1.71

Implementation timeline seems too short 11 5 2.20Low capacity of Williams Lake SecondarySchool.

9 4 2.25

Inequality within the district 8 6 1.33Increased time on buses and busing costs. 6 3 2.00Option does not align with BC Ministry of Edlanguage

6 4 1.50

Decrease in course options with increasedstudents at the high school

0 0 0.00

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Closing elementary schools. 41.0Report does not put safety and well bei… 40.0Age configuration of 7-12 is not approp… 38.0The inability of Chilcotin Road School … 36.0Removing choices of schools and program… 31.0Lack of foresight and long term plannin… 21.0District decision making needs to be mo… 15.0Busing challenges between 2 campuses 13.0Logistic challenges of two campus schoo… 13.0Other (7) 52.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingFinancial. 28 14 2.00Filling school capacities. 15 10 1.50Allows use of both high schools as highschools.

10 5 2.00

Long term planning 8 5 1.60Planning to allow more options for students 8 4 2.00Change may be good 6 4 1.50

Financial. 28.0Filling school capacities. 15.0Allows use of both high schools as high… 10.0Long term planning 8.0Planning to allow more options for stud… 8.0Change may be good 6.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingAvoid a 7-12 reconfiguration. 32 13 2.46Have K-8 in elementary, 9-12 at a high school 31 13 2.38Further explore other school configurationsand changes within the district.

29 15 1.93

3 grade groupings/add a middle school 28 10 2.80Sell off prime property and promotecommunity investment

27 13 2.08

Avoid school closures 26 10 2.60Citizens need to increase dialogue with theBC Gov't regarding spending for education

21 8 2.62

Be clear and transparent and provideinformation and tools to make good choices

16 8 2.00

Give vulnerable students early support forgrade transitions

16 9 1.78

Expand rural and neighborhood schools andclose a high school

14 7 2.00

Reduce damaging transitions for students 12 6 2.00Close the proposed schools but keep studentpopulations together

9 4 2.25

Hire external experts to address the changesneeded

9 6 1.50

Close tiny schools but leave city schools as is 3 2 1.50Expand programs at the high schools 0 0 0.00

Avoid a 7-12 reconfiguration. 32.0Have K-8 in elementary, 9-12 at a high … 31.0Further explore other school configurat… 29.03 grade groupings/add a middle school 28.0Sell off prime property and promote com… 27.0Avoid school closures 26.0Citizens need to increase dialogue with… 21.0Be clear and transparent and provide in… 16.0Give vulnerable students early support … 16.0Other (6) 47.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingProviding grade eight students with enoughchoices in their courses

36 15 2.40

Older children having a negative influence onthe younger children

27 11 2.45

Concerns about bullying 23 10 2.30Grade 8's not having the right atmosphere togrow and prepare for high school

22 10 2.20

Providing a Grade 8 Curriculum at the 108Elementary school.

21 10 2.10

Starting high school in portables isn't ideal forGrade eights.

21 9 2.33

Grade 8 students are ready for high school. 18 7 2.57Proposed elementary school configuration(k-8) may not be appealing for attracting newfamilies

16 9 1.78

Potential overcrowding 15 8 1.88Are Grade 8 teachers in elementary schoolgeneralists or specialists?

14 7 2.00

Close all schools with low enrollment. 14 7 2.00Elementary students not mature enough forhigh school

14 7 2.00

PSO not currently ready to take on morestudents - renovations are needed first

13 7 1.86

Availability of sports for grade 8 students 12 9 1.33Inefficient student-teacher ratios 11 7 1.57Class configurations and the large spreadfrom K-8

9 5 1.80

Providing adequate access to the gym forstudents k-8 in the south end

9 6 1.50

The Primary field construction. 9 5 1.80Space available for strong start program 8 4 2.00Change tends to cause a lot of stress. 7 5 1.40Closing 100 Mile Junior results inoverpopulation at PSO.

7 5 1.40

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Decreased employment opportunities foryoung/new teachers.

1 1 1.00

Providing grade eight students with eno… 36.0Older children having a negative influe… 27.0Concerns about bullying 23.0Grade 8's not having the right atmosphe… 22.0Providing a Grade 8 Curriculum at the 1… 21.0Starting high school in portables isn't… 21.0Grade 8 students are ready for high sch… 18.0Proposed elementary school configuratio… 16.0Potential overcrowding 15.0Other (13) 128.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingBoth 100 Mile Elem. 108 Mile will stay open. 25 10 2.50Selling the land of 100 Mile House JuniorSecondary would fund upgrades needed atother schools

16 8 2.00

More money put into PSO is more opportunityfor the grads

15 9 1.67

Better use of funding 12 5 2.40Less transitions for students from grade 8 tohigh school

11 6 1.83

gr 8's would have an additional year in theirsmaller school community

9 5 1.80

How the board is asking for input seem willingto hear better ideas.

9 6 1.50

Leadership opportunities for grade 8 students 8 6 1.33Potential relocation of teachers to theelementary schools

8 4 2.00

Increased numbers at the elementary schoolskeeps them open

7 5 1.40

It keeps us in line for new schools. 7 5 1.40Less busing is good for students and for theenvironment.

6 5 1.20

Both 100 Mile Elem. & 108 Mile will sta… 25.0Selling the land of 100 Mile House Juni… 16.0More money put into PSO is more opportu… 15.0Better use of funding 12.0Less transitions for students from grad… 11.0gr 8's would have an additional year in… 9.0How the board is asking for input & see… 9.0Leadership opportunities for grade 8 st… 8.0Potential relocation of teachers to the… 8.0Other (3) 20.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingGrade 8's and 9's both merged into PSO 38 10 3.80108 school could take Lac La Hache students 22 10 2.20Additional Closure of rural schools 21 9 2.33Plan for the future: enrollment may be lownow but growth is inevitable -

20 8 2.50

Keep the Junior 17 7 2.43Give Principals more power ($) to makedecisions at their schools.

14 8 1.75

educate students and parents 13 6 2.17Encourage the public to lobby thegovernment for more funding of education inBC

12 5 2.40

I would consider moving 100 Mile Elem. intothe Junior building

12 6 2.00

Sell off valuable assets such as closedschools to rebuild/renovate a junior high

11 7 1.57

I think the gym from the 100 Mile JuniorSchool should be saved.

9 5 1.80

Leave students at current Elementary siteuntil junior site has been rebuilt

8 3 2.67

People need to know they are being heard 5 3 1.67Propose to hold school ALL year long. (nosummer break)

4 2 2.00

Think about reforming the traditional role ofteachers.

4 4 1.00

Dorm area would be good for playgroundequipment and fields are large.

3 1 3.00

Close 100 Junior and remove. build newelementary on that site.

2 1 2.00

Much more parking area 1 1 1.00

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Grade 8's and 9's both merged into PSO 38.0108 school could take Lac La Hache stu… 22.0Additional Closure of rural schools 21.0Plan for the future: enrollment may be … 20.0Keep the Junior 17.0Give Principals more power ($) to make … 14.0educate students and parents 13.0Encourage the public to lobby the gover… 12.0I would consider moving 100 Mile Elem. … 12.0Other (9) 47.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingGrade 7s not ready for High School 47 20 2.35Safety of younger students 38 20 1.90Providing quality education. 32 15 2.13Movement of students between twocampuses

23 14 1.64

Bigger class sizes when 3 elementary schoolsclose.

20 12 1.67

Age configuration within the schools 18 11 1.64Segregation of grade 7 in the school does notenforce a community

8 7 1.14

Building a sense of community with twoschools

5 3 1.67

Building consensus and support from thecommunity

5 3 1.67

Increased demand on gym facilities bycommunity groups from school

1 1 1.00

Maintaining Enrollment 0 0 0.00

Grade 7s not ready for High School 47.0Safety of younger students 38.0Providing quality education. 32.0Movement of students between two campus… 23.0Bigger class sizes when 3 elementary sc… 20.0Age configuration within the schools 18.0Segregation of grade 7 in the school do… 8.0Building a sense of community with two … 5.0Building consensus and support from the… 5.0Other (2) 1.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingMoney saved could be used to improveeducation and services

37 18 2.06

Keeping the remaining elementary schoolsviable and successful

27 15 1.80

Increased course options for high school 22 11 2.00Budgetary savings 10 5 2.00Mentoring and leadership opportunities forolder grades also benefits younger students

9 7 1.29

People may utilize private schools helping tobalance numbers

9 3 3.00

Decreasing number of schools. 7 4 1.75Board strategically looking towards solutions 5 4 1.25

Money saved could be used to improve ed… 37.0Keeping the remaining elementary school… 27.0Increased course options for high schoo… 22.0Budgetary savings 10.0Mentoring and leadership opportunities … 9.0People may utilize private schools help… 9.0Decreasing number of schools. 7.0Board strategically looking towards sol… 5.0

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overall rating participant count average rating2 campuses 1 school but with 7-9 at onecampus 10-12 at the other

36 15 2.40

Leave mount view school as is 28 14 2.00

Leave Grade 7 in elementary system. 27 13 2.08

Create a separate middle school 24 11 2.18

K-8, 9-12 model used 16 9 1.78

Have gyms available to the community toincrease revenue

6 4 1.50

Explore other school consolidation options 4 2 2.00

Find the funds elsewhere 1 1 1.00

2 campuses 1 school but with 7-9 at one… 36.0Leave mount view school as is 28.0Leave Grade 7 in elementary system. 27.0Create a separate middle school 24.0K-8, 9-12 model used 16.0Have gyms available to the community to… 6.0Explore other school consolidation opti… 4.0Find the funds elsewhere 1.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingIntegration of Grade 7 into High School. 16 6 2.67Challenges for students managing with thetwo campuses

10 5 2.00

Providing a comfortable and safe learningenvironment for the younger students

8 4 2.00

Efficient use of financial resources. 4 3 1.33Overcrowding in Nesika and other ElementarySchools

3 2 1.50

Transitions for students 3 2 1.50We need to refocus our kids education on thebasics

3 1 3.00

Ensuring adequate staffing to meet studentneeds

1 1 1.00

Enrollment being down 0 0 0.00Less timetable choices for students 0 0 0.00Students with the most needs getting thesupport they require.

0 0 0.00

Integration of Grade 7 into High School… 16.0Challenges for students managing with t… 10.0Providing a comfortable and safe learni… 8.0Efficient use of financial resources. 4.0Overcrowding in Nesika and other Elemen… 3.0Transitions for students 3.0We need to refocus our kids education o… 3.0Ensuring adequate staffing to meet stud… 1.0Other (3) 0.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingOffering French Immersion at Nesika wouldlikely result in an increase in enrollement

10 3 3.33

Consolidation of schools 4 2 2.00District Savings 4 3 1.33Better use of resources 3 2 1.50Neither WL or Columneetza would have to domuch in the way of renovations.

3 2 1.50

Grade 7 students at the Secondary Schoolfrees space at elementary schools forconsolidation

2 1 2.00

Continued availability of more programs. 1 1 1.00Better use of employee management 0 0 0.00

Offering French Immersion at Nesika wou… 10.0Consolidation of schools 4.0District Savings 4.0Better use of resources 3.0Neither WL or Columneetza would have to… 3.0Grade 7 students at the Secondary Schoo… 2.0Continued availability of more programs… 1.0Other (1) 0.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingK-8, 9-12 is the best grade configuration 11 4 2.75Have a junior high school on one campus anda senior high school on

9 4 2.25

Look at what will benefit the students ofWilliams Lake not the SD27

6 3 2.00

Don't close the alternative programs (FI,Traditional School, year round programs etc)

5 1 5.00

Use the money saved for retrofits andrenovating to meet needs elsewhere

5 2 2.50

Apprise the city council and local politician tolook into utilizing existing infrastructure

3 2 1.50

Add Middle Schools 2 1 2.00Show clearly what can and can't happen withexisting assets

2 2 1.00

Keep one of the proposed closing Elementaryschools open combine alternative prgmstogether there

1 1 1.00

Get rid of French Immersion all together. 0 0 0.00Have grade 7 students at either SecondarySchool depending on their catchment area

0 0 0.00

K-8, 9-12 is the best grade configurati… 11.0Have a junior high school on one campus… 9.0Look at what will benefit the students … 6.0Don't close the alternative programs (F… 5.0Use the money saved for retrofits and r… 5.0Apprise the city council and local poli… 3.0Add Middle Schools 2.0Show clearly what can and can't happen … 2.0Keep one of the proposed closing Elemen… 1.0Other (2) 0.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingLack of electives for grade 8 students. 51 25 2.04Two different configurations North and Southnot acceptable.

45 21 2.14

The Ogden barely has enough room for thestudents they have - high cost for renovations

43 19 2.26

Staffing for specialist teachers for Gr.8s 40 23 1.74Losing the transition between elem and highschool by closing the 100 Mile Junior.

37 13 2.85

Grade 8 students should not be kept withyounger students - socially they are toodifferent.

35 20 1.75

Transportation issues-longer bus rides forchildren

33 20 1.65

Nonviable schools with the lowest percentageof enrollment not being closed

32 16 2.00

Grade 8 students need to be moving on fromelementary school - they are ready for a newchallange.

30 20 1.50

Availability of TA support for special needsstudents

25 14 1.79

Logistics of dealing with 9 grades levels inelem schools (K-8)

23 16 1.44

Unpredictable demographic and economicchanges - if the mineral exploration industrygrows

23 17 1.35

More cost effective to convert 100 Mile Jr. toelementary than to renovate the current 100Mile El.

22 13 1.69

Not changing the current dynamics of theP.S.O..

19 10 1.90

Increased bullying and negative peerpressure with proposed grade restructuring

18 11 1.64

More money needs to be put towardscurriculum to increase graduation rates

17 9 1.89

All options require some form of physicalbuilding renovation.

16 9 1.78

Adjustment for students and parents. 13 9 1.44

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Community survival if schools close 13 8 1.62Isolation of students in rural schools -especially Gr.8s

12 6 2.00

PSO: Admin will feel swamped for a while. 10 5 2.00Alternate lunch hours for older and youngerstudents needed

9 8 1.12

Further expansion of 100 Mile El while ruralschools continue to close

7 4 1.75

Buffalo Creek parents not wanting to sendtheir children to Forest Grove

4 2 2.00

Enough active support of these proposedchanges

4 4 1.00

Aboriginal students not completing withadequate education.

2 1 2.00

Custodial and secretarial jobs that will be lost 1 1 1.00

Lack of electives for grade 8 students. 51.0Two different configurations North and … 45.0The Ogden barely has enough room for th… 43.0Staffing for specialist teachers for Gr… 40.0Losing the transition between elem and … 37.0Grade 8 students should not be kept wit… 35.0Transportation issues-longer bus rides … 33.0Nonviable schools with the lowest perce… 32.0Grade 8 students need to be moving on f… 30.0Other (18) 238.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingP.S.O. is a very well run school with goodstaff.

63 28 2.25

Savings in reducing costs to go into education 57 30 1.90Use the old Junior site for an Aquatic Centre.Perfect location.

38 18 2.11

Better education ability to offer a bigger rangeof courses

33 17 1.94

Less transition for children who currently gofrom grade 7 to junior high

24 15 1.60

Should create more sustainable schools 24 16 1.50The reduction of excess capacity might helpthe district get new schools.

24 15 1.60

Keep enrollment up in rural schools by addinggrade 8

20 12 1.67

Gives grade 9's more elective options 18 10 1.80Social benefits for the older grades. 18 11 1.64Better use of the schools 16 14 1.14Enhanced extracurricular opportunities 15 10 1.50Staying one more year in rural schools isbetter academically.

14 9 1.56

Better learning environment 13 8 1.62100 Mile House: Disposing of the Junior. 11 5 2.20Developmentally the grade 8s have more timein a structured enviorment

8 4 2.00

A lot of the kids now are excited by thechanges

1 1 1.00

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P.S.O. is a very well run school with g… 63.0Savings in reducing costs to go into ed… 57.0Use the old Junior site for an Aquatic … 38.0Better education & ability to offer a b… 33.0Less transition for children who curren… 24.0Should create more sustainable schools 24.0The reduction of excess capacity might … 24.0Keep enrollment up in rural schools by … 20.0Gives grade 9's more elective options 18.0Other (8) 96.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingPSO as an 8-12 70 27 2.59Maybe some of the cutbacks need to start atthe top.

49 22 2.23

Ensure grade 8 kids in the south receive theeducational opportunities others do.

48 23 2.09

Possibility of middle school or 8 to 12 highschool

40 15 2.67

Lac La Hache to close and those children togo to the 108

33 16 2.06

Sell the Junior site to 100 Mile House for thenew Aquatic Centre.

31 16 1.94

Keep 100 Mile Junior 29 8 3.62Be consistent between North and South 27 15 1.80Close schools that are simply not viable. 26 13 2.00Use the 100 Mile Junior building forelementary instead of the current el building.

26 12 2.17

Consolidate the Forest Grove- Buffalo Creekcatchment area at Buffalo Creek due to newerfacility

22 11 2.00

Allow for vacant facilities to be put to use bythe community

19 11 1.73

Consider other users/community partners toassist in building costs.

16 9 1.78

Build a new elementary school on the 100Mile Junior site and sell the current elem.property.

16 8 2.00

Ensure that the elementary schools areprepared to have the changes

15 10 1.50

Look at dividing the k-8 into primaryintermediate students.

14 7 2.00

Allow students of closing schools to enroll inwhich ever school they like

12 6 2.00

Close 100 Mile Elementary School and moveK-8 students to Junior

10 6 1.67

A brand new school for Grades 8-12 4 2 2.00

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PSO as an 8-12 70.0Maybe some of the cutbacks need to star… 49.0Ensure grade 8 kids in the south receiv… 48.0Possibility of middle school or 8 to 12… 40.0Lac La Hache to close and those childre… 33.0Sell the Junior site to 100 Mile House … 31.0Keep 100 Mile Junior 29.0Be consistent between North and South 27.0Close schools that are simply not viabl… 26.0Other (10) 154.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingWildwood students will have to travel a greatdistance.

12 3 4.00

Losing the cultural identity of small schools 4 3 1.33Wildwood School received upgrades and wassupposed to stay open for 5 years.

4 1 4.00

Bus riding into a new school. 3 1 3.00Difficult transition for kids used to being insmaller schools.

2 1 2.00

Losing the successful anti-bullying model ofsmall schools

2 1 2.00

Adding more kids to already crowded schools 1 1 1.00Closing school lowers property values. 0 0 0.00Teachers will be overworked and unable toprovide one-on-one time.

0 0 0.00

Wildwood students will have to travel a… 12.0Losing the cultural identity of small s… 4.0Wildwood School received upgrades and w… 4.0Bus riding into a new school. 3.0Difficult transition for kids used to b… 2.0Losing the successful anti-bullying mod… 2.0Adding more kids to already crowded sch… 1.0Other (2) 0.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingClosing Glendale 2 1 2.00Fiscal responsibility 2 1 2.00

Closing Glendale 2.0Fiscal responsibility 2.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingOffer Wildwood's K-3 program as analternative to other parents in the district.

6 2 3.00

Don't close Wildwood School. 3 2 1.50French Immersion at Wildwood School. 3 1 3.00Look to the political and administrativestructure.

1 1 1.00

Communicate with parents and students. 0 0 0.00

Offer Wildwood's K-3 program as an alte… 6.0Don't close Wildwood School. 3.0French Immersion at Wildwood School. 3.0Look to the political and administrativ… 1.0Other (1) 0.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingNegative impact of bussing for transition andbeing on time.

70 25 2.80

Unclear as to how savings will lead to animproved education experience

56 24 2.33

Grade seven students being in the highschool

55 19 2.89

Scheduling for all the students would becomplicated.

48 21 2.29

It seems to be the ONLY option- there are noother alternatives given.

45 19 2.37

Reconfiguration of schools 44 22 2.00The amount of resources spent onreconfiguring plans.

33 17 1.94

Organizing between schools for enoughstudents to enroll to ensure a class

31 17 1.82

People being fearful of what this looks like. 28 12 2.33Classroom overcrowding 25 15 1.67Bullying issues 24 13 1.85Coordination of administrators will be difficult 24 13 1.85Closing the traditional teachings of KwaleenTraditional School

23 11 2.09

Drastic changes cause anxiety in manychildren

22 10 2.20

Extracurricular Sports activities 21 11 1.91Scholarships and graduation 19 10 1.90Teacher layoffs. 18 10 1.80Difficult for special needs students to get thesupport they need.

17 10 1.70

Students may feel unwelcome in a newschool.

15 7 2.14

6 years of high school leads to burnout. 13 7 1.86Closing both Glendale and Kwaleen wouldseverely restrict options

8 4 2.00

Closing elementary schools leads toundesirable culture change.

7 4 1.75

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Attracting teachers 6 4 1.50Lack of parent participation 6 4 1.50Relocating French Immersion will causefurther disruption in the continuity of theprogram.

4 2 2.00

Negative impact of bussing for transiti… 70.0Unclear as to how savings will lead to … 56.0Grade seven students being in the high … 55.0Scheduling for all the students would b… 48.0It seems to be the ONLY option- there a… 45.0Reconfiguration of schools 44.0The amount of resources spent on reconf… 33.0Organizing between schools for enough s… 31.0People being fearful of what this looks… 28.0Other (16) 252.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingClosure of schools will save money. 44 25 1.76Better course selection. 42 23 1.83Discussion of options. 28 16 1.75Recognition of elementary schools in need ofupgrade or repair.

28 19 1.47

Improved educational experience 26 14 1.86Closing elementary schools will increasecapacity at other schools

24 17 1.41

Create school and community spirit 13 10 1.30The potential to build newer schools in thefuture.

7 6 1.17

Closure of schools will save money. 44.0Better course selection. 42.0Discussion of options. 28.0Recognition of elementary schools in ne… 28.0Improved educational experience 26.0Closing elementary schools will increas… 24.0Create school and community spirit 13.0The potential to build newer schools in… 7.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingGrades 7-9 and 10-12 would be a better idea 121 32 3.78

Violent offenders are not to be allowed backinto the school system

58 24 2.42

Eliminate the busing between 2campuses/schools

48 19 2.53

Leave two high schools instead of adopting atwo campus model.

40 17 2.35

Support special needs students. 35 18 1.94

Utilize technology to improve access anddecrease costs

30 16 1.88

Change all elementary schools to K-6 28 14 2.00

Close elementary schools that no longer haveadequate numbers.

27 14 1.93

Consider optimizing partnerships withpost-secondary institutions

27 12 2.25

Keep the Kwaleen Traditional Schoolteaching method

26 11 2.36

Be honest about the amount of input that hasany input into the decision.

25 11 2.27

Schools should have to make a case forstaying open

20 10 2.00

Ask for budget increase. 19 8 2.38

Introduce changes more gradually. 16 7 2.29

More patrolling of the schools in district 27 16 10 1.60

Balanced calendar 12 8 1.50

Make Columneetza the school to house ALLof the 8-12?

10 4 2.50

Close Glendale and Nesika. Move year roundoption to another school.

9 6 1.50

Encourage parents to get involved. 9 5 1.80

Don't make any changes. 8 4 2.00

Make the current WLSS the "catch all" school 4 2 2.00

Close Big Lake Elementary. 3 3 1.00

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Grades 7-9 and 10-12 would be a better … 121.0Violent offenders are not to be allowed… 58.0Eliminate the busing between 2 campuses… 48.0Leave two high schools instead of adopt… 40.0Support special needs students. 35.0Utilize technology to improve access an… 30.0Change all elementary schools to K-6 28.0Close elementary schools that no longer… 27.0Consider optimizing partnerships with p… 27.0Other (13) 177.0

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powered by THOUGHTstreamwww.thoughtstream.ca page 1 - created 7 Dec 2012

ThoughtStream informationThoughtStream (Ts1) title: SD27 Student Voice - North West RegionsThoughtStream (Ts1) description: A chance for the students to respond to the Initial Options Report.Participants: 180 participants (names withheld)Started: 29 Nov 2012 Ended: 7 Dec 2012

Question (Q) summaryQ1: What do you feel are the key challenges with the options being proposed in the Initial Options Report?Started: 29 Nov 2012 Ended: 7 Dec 2012

Q2: What do you feel are the key benefits with the options being proposed in the Initial Options Report?Started: 29 Nov 2012 Ended: 7 Dec 2012

Q3: What would you do differently from the proposed changes to SD27?Started: 29 Nov 2012 Ended: 7 Dec 2012

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Q1: What do you feel are the key challenges with the options being proposed in the Initial Options Report?

Started: 29 Nov 2012 Ended: 7 Dec 2012

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overall rating participant count average ratingTransportation between campuses 115 50 2.30Peer pressure and drugs/alcohol exposure 104 47 2.21Grade sevens should not be in highschool 92 38 2.42The age gap between students 81 45 1.80Not enough space or lockers in the highschool

73 40 1.82

More fights and bullying 72 41 1.76Teachers losing jobs 62 36 1.72No preparation for current grade 6 students 58 34 1.71Less sport competition with only one highschool

55 28 1.96

More skipping school/classes 55 36 1.53Loss of leadership opportunities for grade 7s 47 27 1.74time tables 47 26 1.81No Middle school option 45 24 1.88Kids won't get one on one time with teachersthat they need

42 27 1.56

Moving schools can be hard for children 42 26 1.62Smaller schools closing 42 23 1.83It might be harder for Grade 7's to learn 39 25 1.56Daily transitions with 1 School, 2 campuses 37 23 1.61Joining of two different school cultures (CSSWL)

37 23 1.61

Adjusting to change and new buildings 36 22 1.64Too many options for younger students 34 19 1.79Losing things in campus transitions 29 20 1.45Feeling alone not being with friends onbreaks/lunch

21 16 1.31

Costs of merging the schools 19 14 1.36Less academic support 19 12 1.58Having to make new friends 13 10 1.30Closing French Immersion and year roundprograms

9 5 1.80

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Transportation between campuses 115.0Peer pressure and drugs/alcohol exposu… 104.0Grade sevens should not be in highschoo… 92.0The age gap between students 81.0Not enough space or lockers in the high… 73.0More fights and bullying 72.0Teachers losing jobs 62.0No preparation for current grade 6 stud… 58.0Less sport competition with only one hi… 55.0Other (18) 613.0

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Q2: What do you feel are the key benefits with the options being proposed in the Initial Options Report?


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overall rating participant count average ratingMore sports opportunities 89 41 2.17More freedom 72 37 1.95Being with friends 71 39 1.82New friends 71 41 1.73Better learning opportunities and morechoices

67 37 1.81

Saving money/Having more money 64 35 1.83Better food program 59 31 1.90More choices of teachers 48 31 1.55The schools will be closer to full capacity 44 24 1.83Smaller classes in elementary schools 42 27 1.56Learning responsibility 39 26 1.50Higher rate of learning 37 23 1.61One connected grad class 35 21 1.67Grade 7s get the benefits of high school 29 20 1.45Leadership of principals and vice principals 15 13 1.15Nesika's a welcoming school 4 3 1.33

More sports opportunities 89.0More freedom 72.0Being with friends 71.0New friends 71.0Better learning opportunities and more … 67.0Saving money/Having more money 64.0Better food program 59.0More choices of teachers 48.0The schools will be closer to full capa… 44.0Other (7) 201.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingNot have Gr7 in high school. 160 52 3.08

Have a middle school 102 36 2.83

Grade 7 lockers in separate area 99 44 2.25

More time between classes 82 36 2.28

Wait till more research has been done andcommunity is comfortable with the decision

79 36 2.19

See if the grade 7s fit in. 69 32 2.16

Have the grade 7 stay at one school. 57 25 2.28

Do some of the fun things, sports, fun daysetc from elementary school

56 27 2.07

Make the younger grades eat lunch at adifferent time

53 27 1.96

Make more classes 49 27 1.81

Do a general poll in schools on who wantsthese changes, and who doesn't

45 19 2.37

Just move the grade sevens around not therest of the high school

41 19 2.16

Put Glendale and Kwaleen kids in a schooltogether

36 20 1.80

Two Principals 30 18 1.67

Semester school change 29 18 1.61

Help grade sevens with the transitions 27 14 1.93

Transitions classes 26 18 1.44

Close different schools 22 12 1.83

Have 2 separate high schools with Gr 7s 21 10 2.10

Give 7th graders responsibilities 18 12 1.50

K-8 in Williams Lake not just 100 Mile 18 8 2.25

Keep grade 7s and 8s in one class room 18 10 1.80

Put grade eights back in elementary schooland close one of the high schools

8 4 2.00

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Not have Gr7 in high school. 160.0Have a middle school 102.0Grade 7 lockers in separate area 99.0More time between classes 82.0Wait till more research has been done a… 79.0See if the grade 7s fit in. 69.0Have the grade 7 stay at one school. 57.0Do some of the fun things, sports, fun … 56.0Make the younger grades eat lunch at a … 53.0Other (14) 388.0

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What do you feel are the key challenges with the options being proposed in the InitialOptions Report?

Adjusting to change and new buildings G17Thought: change T52

Thought: change T56

Thought: Mix ups T114grade 7's don't know the school they could go into the wrong class

Thought: the kids in grade 6 right now that will be in grade 7 next year might be T116scared about what will happen of going with grade 12's

Thought: adjusting to the new school early T118

Thought: grade 7 being to scared T121some grade 7s may be scared of highschool so they might panc with thier homework

Thought: I'm scared T137I'm scared because I have been in a school with less that 70 kids, since kindergarten. I am alreadynervous about the homework and buses. Not to mention all the people. That's why I would feel morecomfortable going to a only one school with the same group of people

Thought: the schedule will be very different and may be hard to get used to T158

Thought: adjusting to the new system will not be easy and could increase stress T160

Thought: many students will be very unhappy with the changes T161

Thought: what grades will be in what schools T162there would be a lot more kids at every school making it harder for the older kids to adjust from oneschool to another every time they have to go back and forth.

Thought: having to figure out which school to go to in the morning T176

Thought: school would be way more confusing with having classes at both the schools T180

Thought: another challenge is that the people that go to wl don't know colmneetza. T186

Thought: Colmetzza T190Most WL students dont know their way around collometzza so they dont know where to go.

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Closing French Immersion and year round programs G18Thought: Glendale is a very important school T61

because we house year round calendar and french immersion programs

Thought: Glendale closher T65Glendale is a good shcool because it has a year round calender and it host the french students

Thought: I say that children in French Immersion might find it hard T87I grew up in Nesika,I myself think it is important to have a stable school growing up

Costs of merging the schools G27Thought: Expense to change school names T37

If the two schools have to both change their names this will be very expensive. All the officestationary, all the signs, the mascots, everything!

Thought: Costs T96Merging the schools will cost a lot of money, as will repairing the buses.

Daily transitions with 1 School, 2 campuses G2Thought: the block rotation T11

having to extend the block rotation for busing , resulting in either shorter classes or longer days?

Thought: 1 School, 2 campuses T12I think it's a wonderful idea to have 1 school, 2 campuses because it gives more options for courses.however i feel that the students would not be bothered to bus from school to school everyday. I thinkit would be a better idea if the teachers could transfer from one school to another betweensemesters. So one semester they could teach a course at one campus and than the next semesterthey could teach that same course at the other campus.

Thought: Late T115kids could be late and be yelled at

Feeling alone not being with friends on breaks/lunch G26Thought: Feeling alone T89

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Feeling alone not being with friends on breaks/lunch G26Your friends may change and you may be shy and start feeling alone

Thought: the kids will be more out of there friend group T165kids who have friends at one school will be forced out of there friend group to go with other kids whothey might not be found of

Thought: How would we hang out with friends? T217what would we do for lunch? What school would we be at? And what if we at different schools thanour friends? Everybody would hate that.

Grade sevens should not be in highschool G8Thought: grade sevens should NOT be in highschool T1

its just not right to put little kids in high school!!!!!!!!they are not mature enough and they just wont be able to deal with the stresses of high school like:more than one teacherdrugsalcoholbullying from the older gradesTHEY AREN'T OLD ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thought: being with the grade 7 T7As a person who will be in grade 12 next year, I do know that many of us do not agree with going toschool with people who are way too younger than us. They are immature and still too young to beinteracted with older students, like me, in high school. I believe that they should be in a school withpeople that are around their age.

Thought: addition of grade sevens T9maturiy level! barley even starting going through puberty. they can physicaly or mentaly handlehighschool. its just too early. and if we put them into highschools but put them into little classrooms, itreally limits their freedom too and encourages rebeling.taking away their playground also takes away active livingearly exposure to drugs, parties, skipping class, disrespecting teachersnot ready for the changes

Thought: I think the problems are that we are just not really ready for highschool T13

Thought: we are too small T14

Thought: there are going to be kids there that are 5 years older than us T15

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Grade sevens should not be in highschool G8Thought: Grade seven students coming to high school T18

The students in grade eight are barely prepared for high schoolGrade seven students could be possibly bullied by anyone in the school their age to Grade twelvegrade twelve males who are eighteen date grade eight girls that could be grade seven girls who are12 and youngergrade sevens would be in a shop that is hard to use for grade eights as is

Thought: Negative and Potential Outcomes T20During my recent read of the Initial Options Report there are a few things that I disagree with. First offI believe that putting the grade 7's into a high school environment will result in a negative outcome.These kids are not use to this setting and would be exposed to it way soon. The grade 8's in ourschool already have a difficult time adjusting to being in the same school as 'scary' grade 12's, andyou want to put the grade 7's in? Innocents needs to be preserved for as long as possible. Mysecond concern is that in the proposal you aren't shutting down the right schools. I believe that if you,as a school district, are going to make two mega-high schools you need to take into account thatthere are so many kids that will be packed into the halls of the school. That is why I am proposing toshut down Nesika and add it to the CSS property. Also, transform the CSS dorms. That is a buildingthat has potential for something useful.

Thought: Little kids being in highschool T26

Thought: Including Grade Sevens T30Grade Seven is an age too young to be dealing with this kind of a schedule. They will be exposed tothings that will change their opinions and perhaps pressure them into wrong habits. Muchdevelopment happens between grade seven and eight, and bringing them into this situation will put aburden too heavy on their shoulders. This young crowd needs to stick together and support eachother to deal with hard situations.

Thought: We need to change ! T33I disagree with what the initial report says or wants to do, having grade 7 in a high school with grade12s is so wrong .... They are not used to it and it wouldn't be fair to them. Me as i will be in grade 12next year don't think it would benefit having grade 7 in with the grade 10/11/12 and Im not saying thisbecause i don't want them in our school I'm saying it looking out for there best interest. 1st they arejust getting in to the stage of puberty and they dont need to be around a more difficult situations bybeing in high school with a grade 11s and 12s. This proposal is going to end up in a negativesituation. I've talked and done research about certain key ideas and what 98% of what the parentsand them said is that they would not let there grade 7 children into a high school with grade 11/12"sthere for they'd be home schooled . which wouldn't help us any because we are trying to increase theamount of people coming to school not try to limit it

Thought: no little kids T34

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Grade sevens should not be in highschool G8Thought: I think that the grade sevens should stay in elementry T49

They should stay at elementry school because grade sevens are way to young to go to high school.

Thought: children in grade 7 are too young to go to high school T60

Thought: The key challenges to 7-12 split campuses are.............................. T1137s will get bullied7s are not ready to go to highschool7s dont want to go

Thought: the high school students don't want 'little kids' in their school T117

Thought: its a bad idea to put grade 7's to go to high school early because... T122older boys/girls can hit on little kids and its hard because we can get bullied and not all teacher canget the time with one another kid because its hard to get to every kid all ready so whats it going to belike and we only get a seven min break to go to both schools

Thought: grade sevens going to highschool T129their not ready

Thought: adding grade 7s with all the other grades T132i think the grade 7s are not ready for high school.

Thought: Grade 7s with grade 12s T134I think the grade 7s are way to immature and dont even know how to tie their own shoes

Thought: Grade 7 T136I think it is unfair for the grade 7's because some might not be ready to go to a big school , andpushing them into the high school is certainly not the answer.

Thought: Grade 7 students going to high school T140I personally do NOT think that the grade 7 students should go into the high school because they arenot ready, there is already immature kids in grade 8 and grade 7 would be worse. Also in grade 7 youare still an elementary student so you should stay in an elementary school.

Thought: One high School with the Two Campus' T142I think with the two schools combining and Grade 7's being added, the Grade 7's would be toimmature for the schools. Another thing is if you had two classes in the different schools you wouldalways be late.

Thought: i think that the grade 7 are going to be imature and not very responible T146

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Grade sevens should not be in highschool G8you need to be responsible to go to high school for instancde homework or geting to your classes ontime attending all you classes

Thought: too young T187the grade sevens are too young i was barley ready for grade eight at the end of grade seven

Thought: Their to young T192They will be so nervous and wont know what to do.

Thought: grade 7s T204they are not ready for how high school is set upthey might get confused

Thought: grade 7's too young for high school T206-too much work-too much drama

Thought: innapropriate dating age differences T230

Having to make new friends G25Thought: having to make a knew friend base with the css kids T179

It might be harder for Grade 7's to learn G21Thought: It might be harder for Grade 7's to learn T73

It might be harder for grade 7's to learn because they might have to learn more advanced things thenthey are used to.

Joining of two different school cultures (CSS WL) G15Thought: Having two school joining each other T41

CSS and WL have 2 different cultures in their school. Also being rival for years could result in fights.When I say that WLSS and CSS are two different cultures I mean that the social society is differentbetween the two. CSS have more of a divisional friendship happening where friends stay with theirfriends and don't like adding new people into their group. Where WLSS is more of a openenvironment where friends invite to have stranger sit with them and talk freely among each other.

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Joining of two different school cultures (CSS WL) G15Thought: will things change with the students that are already at the school. T149

are the previous and current student mails and their personal education systems gonna change

Thought: students from WLSS will not be accepted at CSS and visa versa T157

Kids won't get one on one time with teachers that they need G19Thought: kids wont be getting the one on one time with teachers that they need T62

by making bigger schoolsbigger classrooms

Thought: it will be harder for one one learning with teachers T166there will be more kids in each class, there for more kids will be without one on one help fromteachers. and it will force us to put more smart kids with less smart kids making it harder for thesmart kids to excel and the less smart kids to gain the knowledge

Less academic support G31Thought: not getting to know teachers and principals and principals and teachers T101

not get to know students because of the number of students and the two schools

Thought: less support T110less support for kids because the teachers don't get to know the students

Thought: not knowing any of the other teachers at css T178

Thought: Teachers and classess T222If we have grades 7-12 will we be bringing in gr. 7 teachers? The reason I'm asking this is becausecan grade 8 teachers teach grade 7's? About the classes will grade 7's be doing Electives and willthere be enough classes?

Less sport competition with only one high school G16Thought: sports T25

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Less sport competition with only one high school G16we barely find enuogh coaches to have just one team per sport be age pre school. combine theschools and you now have kids not making the cut for the 'a' team, and the 'b' kids probably wont getto play due to lack of coaching or not quite enough to make a b team but too many to have just oneteam.

Thought: student will not be able to go into there favorite sport at school T102because there will be to many students already i that sport

Thought: less competition for the sports teams in town, which means more traveling T159

Thought: the sports teams wont have as many games T174the sports teams will be only able to play 100 mile and quesnel who dont want to always travel

Thought: collometzza Vs WLSS T201if they created one school your sports team would have to leave the town just to play a game

Losing things in campus transitions G20Thought: How classes would work and Schooling T19

students could have problems getting between schoolsStudent forget things in lockers, you cant get a text book if you forgot it at the other schoolthe class sizes would be to big

Thought: i think it would be bad to have two campuses because if they leave T70something at one campes then the dont have it

Thought: Moving classes T95There may be a mix-up on your way to class.

Loss of leadership opportunities for grade 7s G37Thought: I think one of the key challenges for me is being the leader T50

i really wanted to be a leader and have little kids look up to me like if we go into highschool we wouldbe the littilest again and untill grade 12 will we be the leaders but in grade 12 nobody pays attention.

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More fights and bullying G28Thought: two schools merging T31

WL and Columneetza merging would bring new friendships but also conflict. The schools have beenrivals for years and being forced to sit next to each other in class would provoke fights and spats. Ifear bullying would become a huge problem if we squish the two very different schools into one.

Thought: bad people in high school T59

Thought: younger kids will get bullied in highschool T63

Thought: how would the grade 7 fit into high scool T64would they get picked on by the older kids

Thought: Grade 10-12 students might bully or be annoyed by Grade 7's T72The grade 7's might be bullied because the grade 10-12's might find them annoying

Thought: Bullying and drugs T75Grade 12 kids might bully and influence the younger grade 7's.

Thought: Bulling T81Bulling will be easier to do for the grade 12's with grade 7's in the school because it is easier to bullykids way younger than you.

Thought: bullying T85there would b a lot of bullying if WL and Cloumeetza were 1 school because the grade 7 would bpicked on by the grade 12.

Thought: Bulling may become a bigger problem T88being small in size we may be a bigger bully target

Thought: More fights T94More fights will break out over girls and boys or someone will be pushed into someone and start afight.

Thought: there will much more bullying T98grade 10 and down will bully the grade 7

Thought: The key challenges to 7-12 split campuses are.............................. T1137s will get bullied7s are not ready to go to highschool7s dont want to go

Thought: its a bad idea to put grade 7's to go to high school early because... T122

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More fights and bullying G28older boys/girls can hit on little kids and its hard because we can get bullied and not all teacher canget the time with one another kid because its hard to get to every kid all ready so whats it going to belike and we only get a seven min break to go to both schools

Thought: bullying T125

Thought: more fights T126

Thought: Grade 7's T143With the Grade 7's they would be bullied all the time and they would act immature all the time.

Thought: i think having the grade seven's will be a problem. T144they will get bullied.they won't be prepared.

Thought: I think that grade seven's will get bullied T147i think that grade seven's will get bullied because their is bulling alredy add grade seven's and youhave bulling like crazy

Thought: kids that dont like each other being in the same school T154because i know that there are some girls and boys that chose WL to get away from bulliesencountered with in elementary or going to CSS because there bullies came to WL

Thought: there will be more fights than there are T156

Thought: Fighting between people T170Sometimes people change schools to get away from people or bullying and now we are putting themtogether??

Thought: gangs T175the people in gangs will be put together so there will be much more fights and kids being bullied

Thought: will there be fights? T195

More skipping school/classes G23Thought: Peer pressure T76

Students may be pressured into skipping school, skipping classes, alcohol and drug use, andvandalism.

Thought: more skipping T108

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More skipping school/classes G23because they will just say i missed the bus

Thought: grades will go down T109because of the more skipping

Thought: More kids might be skipping T151for one they might not like the changes 2 they might miss the buss over to the other school or theyjust might not like the big change in teachers'

Thought: Skippers T168I think skipping and being late would happen more because if your late for the bus or you don't go tothe another school.

Moving schools can be hard for children G22Thought: how it would afect the kids at glendale T66

i have friends in the english program and i would miss them

Thought: Moving schools T74Can be emotionally tiring and hard for children.

Thought: moving schools T97

No Middle school option G34Thought: I like the idea of us going to high school,I would like it to be grade 7 T2

to nine .I want Kwaleen to stay open.

Thought: What needs to happen. T38

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No Middle school option G34I understand that a change must be made, that is why the potential to have a middle school is such afantastic idea. If we pull all of the grade 7's out of the elementary school and place then into WLSSalong with the 8's and 9's this equates for the middle school. Then we place all the 10's, 11's and12's into CSS, forming the High school. In doing this, you make a more solid foundation for the kidstransferring from the elementary environment into a more independent state. In the highschoolhaving the 10's, 11's and 12's makes for a more acedemtic environment with an even more maturesurrounding. This also puts all the young adults in the same school because they all have provincialsthey need to write. I have also been overhearing the concern that it will be hard for kids to transferschools many times and could have a hard impact on them. Transferring school can be hard, but notwhen you are transfering schools with all your friends right along side you.

Thought: What needs to happen T46I agree that we need change and we need to do something but this is not it. Make a middle school, ifu want grade 7's to come in then make Williams Lake Secondary 7-9 and make Columneetza 10-12there for u have all the provincial in one school as well it will decrease the student of being late andabsent because they don't need to take the bus back an forth . It will probably decrease the amountof bully cause you wont have the huge age differences and maturity levels. I'm not saying bullyingwill just disappear but it is something that would decrease it ALOT. There is so much more that wouldbenefit us by doing it the way i discussed and many of the students,teachers and parents agree , soplease take this as another alternativei have alot more information so i hope we could have another voice where you guys could reallylisten to all the point us student and parents have to make . Thank you for your time.

Thought: I think that they should make a middle school T47because gr.7 is preping you for high school and its a big step to go from elementry to high school

Thought: I think that they should do a middle school or a juinour or senior high T48So that there is not such a wide age group of people and then there would be less bulling maybe.

Thought: move all 8-12 into wlss or css then make a middle school in css or wlss T200then move all of the other children into a big school like Glendal or Catiline or Marie sharpe

No preparation for current grade 6 students G30Thought: Gr.6 no preparation T79

If this plan is put into action this year or next, gr.6's that go to 7 will not have preparation this yearbecause teachers in grade 7 prepare students for high school, not gr.6 teachers.

Thought: the grade 6's will skip there grade seven year which will not prepare them T104

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No preparation for current grade 6 students G30for high school

Not enough space or lockers in the high school G7Thought: there will be no space T4

even though there will be two campus, there will be no space for all the students from grade 7 to 12to be in side. it will be too packed and plus, there will not be enough lockers to be used for bothschools.

Thought: one school two campus T5Because there will be two campus, the students will need to have at least one locker at each schooland there will be definitely not enough lockers for the two school combined population plus the grade7 students. There will be more money spent to create new lockers.

Thought: i think that the options are very limited T16with the budgets dropping for school district 27 i don't really like the options that we have but i thinkthat closing those five elementry schools is the most affective idea to lower the spendings. but if wedo that then the strike the teachers were envolved with will be absoleet because then there would belarger classes and lower wages.

Thought: Lockers T35If students have to go to two different schools they will need two different lockers. Then what if theirforget their text books or homework in their other school locker, they obviously will not be able to getit for their class.

Thought: how it will efect the other shcools T67if french moves to nesika, nesika would be full and crowdid

Thought: Hallways T93Hallways will be jam packed with kids, which can spread sicknesses with all those students touchingeach other

Thought: hallways jammed with kids which means it is easier to catch a sickness T107

Thought: sharing lockers T127

Thought: There might be to many kids. T145the school max won't be high enough to fit all the kids in to them>

Thought: lockers T164

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Not enough space or lockers in the high school G7there aren't enough lockers at each school for every kid to have a locker at each school

Thought: Lockers T169If you only get one locker, do you get another at the other school or do you have to carry your booksaround?

Thought: space in schools T181The size of some schools are too small to hold an extra school, not the highschools but theelementary schools like chilcotin road.

Thought: That there will be too many people in one school to be crammed in classes T183

Thought: would there be enough room? T215If the grade 7 do come to our school would there be enough room? I they came then we wouldprobably have to make a new locker area and finding a new area would most likley be difficult andwould also take up most of the room in are school

Thought: Crowed hallways. T221If we just have one school the hallways will be crowed even with another canvas. The hallways willbe hard because people with physical challenges will have an even harder time moving around theschool.People will get bumped around a lot.

Thought: the hallways will be even more crowded T227its crowded as it is without the grade 7's

Thought: gr 7 in high school cramming up school not leaving space for kids to learn T228busing for kids to get to classes on time, especially special needs kids in wheelchairs, such asmyself, and the only way it would work is if you move the schools closer together.

Peer pressure and drugs/alcohol exposure G5Thought: Grade seven students coming to high school T18

The students in grade eight are barely prepared for high schoolGrade seven students could be possibly bullied by anyone in the school their age to Grade twelvegrade twelve males who are eighteen date grade eight girls that could be grade seven girls who are12 and youngergrade sevens would be in a shop that is hard to use for grade eights as is

Thought: Difference in student's ages T36

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Peer pressure and drugs/alcohol exposure G5In grade 7 students are 11-12 and grade 12 students can be 18-19. These are two completelydifferent stages in life. Grade 7's should be outside at recess playing on the jungle gym, while grade12's are being serious and getting their life together, most of the time. Many older students areinvolved with drugs and alcohol, these bad influences should not be around the small impressionablegrade 7s.

Thought: Having grade 7's in highschool T40I think that maturity is a big factor in this having grade 7's come in and not having that maturity tohandle high school could be a big issue. Will they be able to handle peer pressure being involvedwith drugs? How to say no to the wrong things. grade 7 to 8 is a big step for a student. They maturein that year, knowing that they are in high school now and that they were on top of the food chain andare back at the bottom and in a sense. Also I feel that grade 7's could be influenced more to a wrongpath in school.

Thought: the grade sevens going to high school would be a bad idea due to the fact T44that they would be exposed to drugs and alcohol at a younger age.

Thought: drugs+smoking T54

Thought: drugs and smoking T58

Thought: bullying drugs and innapropriate dating age differences T68

Thought: Grade 7 students aren't ready for high school T71There minds are easier to bend to drugs, alcohol and tobbaco

Thought: Bullying and drugs T75Grade 12 kids might bully and influence the younger grade 7's.

Thought: Peer pressure T76Students may be pressured into skipping school, skipping classes, alcohol and drug use, andvandalism.

Thought: To many younger kids with older kids T80The older kids may get the younger kids into things they should not do.Examples: Smoking, drugs and many more things.

Thought: drugs and alcohol T86there would be a BIG exposure to drugs alcohol etc. if the 2 schools were combined.

Thought: Getting into bad stuff T91

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Peer pressure and drugs/alcohol exposure G5children in grade 7 might still be too young to tell the difference from right and wrong. like lettinggrades drop,start to bully,get into drugs and alcohol etc.

Thought: Caring too much about your appearance T92you may lose friends or stop feeling self confident about your appearance

Thought: there will be a lot of peer pressure T99like peer pressure into drugs alcohol and smoking

Thought: being influenced by other grades older than you in drugs alcohol etc. T100

Thought: Having to go to a big school at such a young age. T120Starting with older kids looking down on you is quite intimidating. Also older kids are role models foryounger kids so if the older kids were doing bad things then it would corrupt the thoughts of theyounger age kids making them do bad things.

Smaller schools closing G33Thought: The smaller schools T138

The smaller schools I heard will be shut down. I think that is sad because they have been around forso long. What happens to all the younger kids and the parents that need to work and can't drivelonger distances or wait for buses.

Thought: well when they close down Kwaleen where will the kids on south lakeside go T223they will have to go all way in town most parents cant afford that and most parents don't have carsand same

Teachers losing jobs G29Thought: Teachers T77

Teachers may lose jobs, will not get to know all their students, have high tempers because markingwork all night, and possibly losing track of student's work.

Thought: Teachers losing jobs T82With all the schools closing down, a lot of teachers would lose their jobs.

Thought: grade 7 teachers T84where would the grade 7 teachers go?

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Teachers losing jobs G29Thought: Teachers losing jobs T90

if schools are closed teachers and principals are going to lose jobs

Thought: teachers will lose jobs because there will be no more use for grade 7 T103teachers who go into high school

Thought: The schools shutting down T141I think it is reasonable to shut down 2 or 3 schools because of the money going down. But if you doshut them down to make sure that the teachers get new teaching jobs.

The age gap between students G36Thought: An age gapp T111

12 or 13 years old to 17 or 16 year olds

time tables G38Thought: what subjects in what school T131

Thought: time tables T194

Too many options for younger students G24Thought: options T45

i do not think that having shop classes and other electives should even be avalible to grade 7s andmaybe not grade 8s. i dont mean to sounds mean, but i think that students should love reading,writting, and math and aqquire those skills first in life, and then develope their interests. i think thatminimal electives are cooking, cooking class and basic shop offered at wlss) but that the seniors(10-12) should be developing moreinto those things (more elaborate shops etc at css). i dont thinkthis should be one of the main points of why this proposed school configuration should be a go. i dontthink the board should focus on the idea of "more options"

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Transportation between campuses G1Thought: bus schedule T3

With one school and two different campuses, busing back and forth would be absolute chaos. All thekids with different schedules trying to get back and forth between schools would be an overlystressful hassle. This would make it much easier for kids to skip classes, as they can blame it on thebus schedule. Too many buses running will cause major pollution in the atmosphere as well. Sudentswill be arriving at different times during class, making it difficult for teachers to get the informationacross. Catching up on assignments but still trying to stay on schedule will be extremely difficult.

Thought: transition T6because of transition between css and wl, we have to ride school buses and many people will be latefor their classes for at least 10 minutes and the students will miss the notes and attendance.

Thought: two campuses. T8the busing back and forth seems to be the major issue. there are ways to work around having grade7s added but the two campuses is terrible. i intervuewed two people that worked for the schooldistrict (retired now) and one oh whihc was a counseller, and they both said the major issue they seewith the williams lake proposal is the busing

Thought: busing T10bullying, losing kids during the block rotation, green house gas emissions

Thought: Transportation to and from school campuses T17It would be extremely difficult to bus back and forth between the two school campuses. We wouldneed to have a longer break and therefore longer days or more days to ensure time in class. Also, itwould be very hard for younger students to figure this out, they can barely figure out the blockrotation, so it would be really hard to have them on the right bus at the right time.

Thought: having two campuses and one school will not work! T22busing kids back and fourth isn't a good idea because it is too much effort for kids that are alreadyunder stressthey also miss too much class for their education to benefit any from it

Thought: the board would have too pay more if they merged the schools. T28one of things they would have to do is pay for the buses to bring the students back and forth to theirclasses.

Thought: Having two campuses and one school T39

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Transportation between campuses G1This would be extremely difficult for students busing back and forth. As we have issues with busingfrom school back and forth right now( band students) as it is having students late for class missingteacher instructions everyday. Now with the initial option going through you have way more studentsbusing and being late for class. For example you in chemistry 12 and your late for that class 7minutes everyday missing instructions or your doing a test it can have a very large impact on thatstudents learning and grades.

Thought: Buses T42

Thought: buses T53

Thought: buses T57

Thought: Buses between schools T78Buses may not be running in the winter, buses might break down in between schools so the studentswill be late, Cause more pollution, and fuel costs.

Thought: buses T83when buses dont run from the WL and Collumeetza how would we get back and forth?

Thought: buses wont run into the winter T105

Thought: wasted bus fuel T106which means more pollutants in are air that we breath

Thought: buses might not one day T112how are kids going to get to their classes if buses aren't running

Thought: Buses T119If buses aren't running you might miss a test and fail it for being late. The problem is you cant helpbeing late.

Thought: i think it is going to be confusing T123what i mean is confusing bus schedules

Thought: confusing bus schedules T124

Thought: getting to class T128

Thought: bus scheduels T130what if the bus brakes down

Thought: Two campuses T135

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Transportation between campuses G1I think it would hard to go back and forth to each school for different classes.

Thought: Highschool with 2 campuses T139In my opinion i do not think that the highschools should go together here are some reasons-transportation between the schools might be unavailable on some days due to ice on the roads orother things so if you need to go to the other school for class at the other school-If the schools came together on 2 campuses people would be running around to much. Some kidsmight have to change schools every class.

Thought: One high School with the Two Campus' T142I think with the two schools combining and Grade 7's being added, the Grade 7's would be toimmature for the schools. Another thing is if you had two classes in the different schools you wouldalways be late.

Thought: 1 high school two campus' T148i think transportation is going to be a problem because i think that there was more buses between thetwo schools in sted of one together now they will have to start a new system and it could be difficultfor the new students.

Thought: traveling between the two schools T155

Thought: if kids miss the bus T163kids will be a lot more likely to miss the bus if they get held in or cant make it to there locker in time.

Thought: The travelling T167Going between schools means different times and getting lost. It also means shorter lunches. Thebuses we would need lots.

Thought: Grade 8's having to go back and fourth T171When you enter high school its scarey enough now lets throw changing between schools in there.

Thought: Teachers T173Are we going to get less time in school because of traveling?

Thought: busing back and forth from both of the schools T177

Thought: To many buses may be running at once or be late for pickups of the kids T184

Thought: a challenge would be that we would have to bus back and forth. T185

Thought: getting to each campus T188its going to be a real challenge to get from each campus and getting to classes

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Transportation between campuses G1Thought: bus rides T189

If the students had a class at colomezza then at WLSS the busses would have to run morefrequently. The students would need more time inbetween classes in order to get to them on time.

Thought: Getting to each campus T191For the students it may be confusing to go to each campus. And get to there class on time.

Thought: bus rides T193

Thought: Getting between schools would be a challenge. T196I think getting between schools would be a challenge because we have only have seven minutesbetween classes. and buses would have to run between schools for each class.

Thought: Bus rides T197-will the bus rides cost $- will buses be on time-will there be more time to get to class

Thought: the buses, there would have to be a lot the classes would be all over. T198

Thought: Traveling from school to school T199I think if we traveled from school to school we wouldn't see our friends that often as we did before :(

Thought: getting back and forth between schools in the short time T202there is not enough time to get to the other school in the seven minute break we have. we wouldhave to make breaks between classed.

Thought: buses between school T205kids would be late for class in other schoolsthey might find an expereance that they didnt want to see

Thought: bus rides T207-cost too much money-late for classes

Thought: The challenges it would be. Going going back an forth between school. T209It would be hard for the kids to go to their for there classes

Thought: transportation T210The buses that are running would have double the passengers and car drivers would have a hardtime getting their children to distance schools.

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Transportation between campuses G1Thought: Going back and forth T211

Between wlss and columetzza going back and forth is a hard task and a pain in the butt for teachersand students.

Thought: arriving to each campus T213I think there should be a bus ride to each school between classes

Thought: Traveling from school to school T216How would we get from school to school? And if we went on a bus or something wouldn't we missclasses and our learning time?

Thought: Having two schools to memorize would be hard. T218Having to know two campuses would be hard and going back and forth from the two would be tiringand what if you missed on of your buses? How would you get to the other school if we misssed ourbus and everything would be soooo rushed.

Thought: busing for people, especially special needs on the 2 school 1 campus T229the only way this could work is if you move the schools closer together or expand the break time

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What do you feel are the key benefits with the options being proposed in the Initial OptionsReport?

Being with friends G18Thought: having friends T14

Thought: ALL of your friends are at the same school as you(2 in 1 schools) T39no matter what ALL the grade 7 are at the same school as you.

Thought: being with friends T59

Thought: getting to see all of you friends from css more often T88

Better food program G6Thought: cafeteria at wlss T93

maybe we will get a cafeteria if we shut down the schools and have more money

Thought: better fruit program T100

Better learning opportunities and more choices G1Thought: more selections of courses T2

A little more variety of course options can help us learn more new things.

Thought: have knew classes T4

Thought: More choice T6Its great to be able to have more choice with courses and schools etc. With the changes proposedfor high school i feel there will be more choice.

Thought: Classes T7if there is more students more likely to have different classes offered but you could still do this with aSenior High and a Junior High

Thought: high school has choices T13when we go to high school next year i will be happy that we will get to choose some of our classes.We will also have more sports to choose from.

Thought: More opportunities for classes T17

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Better learning opportunities and more choices G1Just this year I was not able to get into horticulture or sewing, many people wanted into theseclasses but it was not quite enough. We have the facilities and the students want to do it. So if theschools are combined there would be more students that want a certain class. Then we could haveour forgotten classes back.

Thought: Grade 7's might learn new things they normally can't learn in elementary T33Grade 7's might be able to learn such things like how to deal with pressure

Thought: Students will have more class and career choices T34

Thought: Classes T37There will be more class choices.

Thought: class choice T40there would b more class choice for example WL has a drama class but Columeetza doesn't.

Thought: more class choices T45

Thought: more career choices T46

Thought: Getting to finally move out of Elementary. T52I for one am excited to get out of elementary school. Getting to do new things and having new sports.And new classes. Getting to have more opportunities to try new things and get to know new people.

Thought: different class choices T57

Thought: more oppertunities T58career

Thought: more courses to offer T63:)

Thought: the grade 7 students going to high school T68It would be good because then they might learn to be more mature, and it would be more of alearning challenge.

Thought: more opertunities T74With the two schools there could be more opportunities for sports and academics.

Thought: the students will have better learning opportunities T75they wil;l meet new teachers and there will be more things to learn and try

Thought: More class rooms T77

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Better learning opportunities and more choices G1

Thought: more options in courses T78like mechanics and caff training

Thought: more variety in class options T83

Thought: there will be more choices for classes T84there will be easier to take a class that you need cause there will be more people who need to takethe class.

Thought: classes T85More classes to take

Thought: having a bigger course selection T87

Thought: a benefit is that we will have better classes. T94

Thought: more classes T95you would have more classes to go to

Thought: more classes T97there would be more classes to go to like some WL students could go do a shop class in collometzza

Thought: More classes to chose from. T98There will be more classes to choose from. So if a grade twelve needs to take a certain course forsomething they would be able to go to the other campus.

Thought: more courses T101

Thought: more class options T104I think more class options would be good. we could have more electives.

Thought: Having more of a variety of classes. T112I suppose in grade 11 and 12 it would be nice to have more choses but still wouldn't be worth it

Thought: Maybe we will be able to have lots more classes to choose from T114If not many people like a class than the class will shut down. But if we join the two schools togethermaybe the class will reopen because their is more people who like that class.

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Grade 7s get the benefits of high school G10Thought: i may be "good idea" because... T55

you get lockers and you get to have a longer luch and your not in the same class all the time and weget a seven min break

Higher rate of learning G28Thought: i think that one of the benifetes of making the towo schools into one T15

would be the high rate of learning i guess?

Leadership of principals and vice principals G12Thought: Leadership T16

If this idea involved one overall principal and two vice principals at the campuses, the organizationwould be very good. They would be able to discern what teachers work better where and create aplan that helps students get the best education possible. The vice principals would monitor eachcampus and report back to the main principal, who could solve problems knowing the situations ofeach place.

Learning responsibility G13Thought: Learning responsibly T71

This is a very important skill because I think everyone has to learn how to take over them self's.

More choices of teachers G27Thought: More variety in teachers T22

Some students don't like certain teachers, it just the way it is. If the two schools were togetherstudents could pick what teachers they wanted for there classes.

Thought: more choices for teachers T47

Thought: The teachers T70I like this part because I like different teachers because all teachers have different ways of teaching.Which can help with subjects you don't understand.

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More choices of teachers G27Thought: having different teachers for your year T89

More freedom G26Thought: you can go and travel T54

Thought: more freedom T56go places

More sports opportunities G11Thought: more extra sports T5

Thought: If the grade seven's go tey will have more sports opportunities. T72

Thought: the sports T80more kids will want to join sports teams

Nesika's a welcoming school G25Thought: Nesika's a welcoming school T42

Nesika is welcoming,kind and accepting to all new students If French Immersion moved to Nesika forpermanent i would be fine.

New friends G7Thought: Meet knew people T3

Thought: i think that if the board decided to merge the schools that would be good T9i think this would be a good idea because the students would have more oppertunity to meet newpeople and experience new things. that would also provide the school with more classes since morepeople would be interested in joining them.

Thought: More people in age groups to become friends with T20

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New friends G7If the schools were combined then there would be more people in each grade in the school. I havefriends at the other school and I would love to have them at my school. If we were all at the sameschool many people could make friends with people that they have things in common with.

Thought: Communication and relationships T21I think that having two merging will create conflict, but also with create new friends. Having creatednew communications with other students and making new friends. You will have two completelydifferent cultures of social society blend and I think that it would be interesting and also beneficial.

Thought: Students will meet more friends, which boosts self esteem. T35

Thought: Making friends T41you will meet people from other schools that may be a lot like you and make a new friend

Thought: you meet more people T53

Thought: you will meet more friends. T73

Thought: their will be more people to meet T76the students will meet new people and will build there own social skills

Thought: more new people i have not met T79

Thought: students will meet more people T81

Thought: more friends T86friends could mean drama......

Thought: meeting new people T105new friends new types of people

One connected grad class G24Thought: one connected grad class T8

being able to get to know everyone your age and really be a powerful gradclass that isnt divided atprom

Thought: no high school differences. T18the too schools would have no reason too fight each other or do grad pranks if they all went to thesame school.

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Saving money/Having more money G4Thought: Money T19

I honestly only see on benefit, that the schools will be saving money.

Thought: wildwood costs alot of money the closing of wildwood means not as much T30money has to go towards 28 kids or so

Thought: Saving money T36With the money saved, the "board" can keep the schools open.

Thought: district money T38yes. we would save the district money.

Thought: Saving money T43

Thought: More Funding T44with more students there will be more funding to that school

Thought: save money for the school district T48

Thought: being prepared a year earlier T50school district would save money

Thought: More student=More money T61With more money there are more coarse to ofter

Thought: there might be more money available for other things T62such as sports clubs,equipment and other courses

Thought: More kids More money. T64If you have more students you get more money for sports, text books, etc.

Thought: more money for the school's T65

Thought: The high schools coming together T67I thing that it would deffinetly be good because it would cut the budget by a little bit and the schoolscould be under 1 name

Thought: The schools shutting down T69It would be good because then it would cut the budget alot so you can put more money to the biggershcools.

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Smaller classes in elementary schools G23Thought: smaller classes in elementry schools T51

students will have smaller classes and more one on one time

The schools will be closer to full capacity G22Thought: More schools are full T60

Thought: schools are more filled T66

Thought: the schools will be closer to full capacity T82

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What would you do differently from the proposed changes to SD27?

Two Principals G1Thought: 1 School, 2 campuses. T16

have 2 different principals for the different campuses. If there isnt, sure the vice principal can dealwith problems but there needs to be a head person at both schools. if there is only one principal thanthat person would need to travel from school to school hourly. Where wouldf their office be? Theycould have it at one of the campuses but then they would spend more time at that school whichwould not be fair. Their office would end up being at the board office which also wouldnt be goodbecause they would never find the time to visit the schools and they would just stay in their office thewhole time.

Have 2 separate high schools with Gr 7s G2Thought: no two campus one school model its a pretty dumb idea T41

Thought: 2 highschools T70move grade 7s to highschool but keep 2 high school as completely different high schools

Thought: i would not merge the two schools the schools T83there will be more sport choices.

i like to choose witch school to go to>

Thought: i wold not merge the 2 high schools and add grade sevens T86i like having a choicei think that their will be more sports oportunitys

Thought: have to different campuses and you could choose witch to go in to T87

Thought: high school T92just add 7's in to the high school

Thought: 2 schools both 7-12 T93

Thought: or students can decide which campus they want to go to T94so that students don't have to mix if they don't want to and there is less traveling between the schoolsthan the original option. the schools can still be 7-12.

Thought: have the 2 schools and just do 7 to 12 in each school T95the wlss would be wlss and css would be css but the 7 to 12 would be in both schools.

Thought: rather the grade 7s come to high school than the schools being combined T105

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Have 2 separate high schools with Gr 7s G2Thought: just leave the schools separetly T123

Have a middle school G3Thought: I would like a middle school 7 to 9 and that the grade sevens still can do T1

sports

Thought: I would wrather have like a junior high for like 6 - 9 at WL T2

Thought: Junior, Senior Schools T4Columneetza being the senior because of the shops and it is set up to be a Senior high schoolThe schools were set up to be a junior and a seniorEveryone that i have spoken with agrees that a Junior High and a Senior High would be the bestproposal

Thought: I would change us to a middle school system T6

Thought: divide the two schools differently T9Instead of have one school two campus, I believe we should have one senior high and a middleschool for grade 7-9. There will be less money spent for bus transitions and less money needed tocreate more space and room and new lockers. Also, the young students won't be influenced as muchfrom older students with alcohol, drugs, and partying. The younger students will be with their agegroup so they will be allowed to be who they are and slow grow up and prepare for senior highschool. Also, the classes that all the other grades took space of can become classes for other newcourses or electives and this way will still create more course choices for both schools. Also, middleschool will not force the younger students to grow up faster and having many transition is good sincetransitioning is part of life and being from middle school to senior high will be a good transition andyes they will be prepared for senior high since middle school is exactly like senior high with youngerstudents

Thought: middle school T13i think that there should be a middle school so that us grade 7's wont be mixed in with grade 12's

Thought: k-6, 7-9, 10-12 (middle school) *NOT 8-10, 11-12**** T17the addition of WLSS as a middle school would allow for junior students to begin maturing togetherwith influence only within a 3 year span. tons of course options avalible and able to connect and be acommunity school. so far, evey single member of our community i have talked to feels that this iswhat they want. even the kids and other members of the SD say this wuold be ideal.i feel asd though this would actualy ehelp the buyyling issue rather than make it worse

Thought: Proposed Changes T20

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Have a middle school G3Make a Middle School (7-9) in WLSS and a High school (10-12) withing CSS.

Thought: middle school and a high school T22If we designated WL as a middle school for grades 7-9 and Columneetza as a high school for grades10-12, this would break up the ages and solve the problem of older kids poorly influencing youngerkids. Grades 10-12 are all becoming more mature and are in the same boat for writing provincials.With a middle school, it will keep the younger grades closely knit together and will decrease theamount of bad exposure. By losing the grade sevens, elementary student numbers would decrease,which would allow for some schools to be closed.

Thought: Columneetza a high school WL a middle school T23I think that Columneetza should have students for grades 10-12 and WL should have grades 7-9.The middle school could be relaxed and a slight transition into high school and the high school canbe a place where students can plan their future. There would be no issues of young and old studentstogether and no transportation issues. More classes will also be available and people can makefriends with people in their grade.

Thought: Middle school and high school T24I think having WLSS as a middle school and having CSS as a high school would be a great solution.It would have the 7-9 grade student in a school having a reason to shut down some elementaryschools. Also it would be great for 7-9 grades to mature in that environment of these kids that are likeeach other. Also having 10-12 would be excellent because this is grades where the student isstarting to write provincial exams and students are starting to develop and go in to choosing theircoarse and how they will run their life in the future I think that this is a good way to solve the moneyshortage and have all points of view happy.

Thought: Make a middle school T25I'd have grades 7-9 in William Lake Secondary School and have 10-12"s in columneetza school

Thought: i think they should have middle school T26

Thought: i would not put the gr.7 to high school i would make a middle school T27gr.4-7

Thought: i would probably make a middle school T28we being as young as grade 6 right now is not great to be exposed to drugs or anything like that ithink having a grade 7 to 9 school would be really nice

Thought: middle school T317-9

Thought: middle school T34

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Have a middle school G3Thought: i would make a jounior high T43

beacause the grade 7 would get forsed to take drugs and smooke.

Thought: middle school T50We need a middle school frm grades 6-9 and a high school for grades 10-12.

Thought: If closing the old elementary schools, convert one into a middle school T52So students could be with kids their own age group. (7-9, 10-12 middle schools)

Thought: Middle School T53there would be less of an age gapp

Thought: Add a Middle School T55With a Middle School there will be less older kid/younger kid.

Thought: middle school T567-9 0r 9-12

Thought: I would change W.L.S.S. into a middle school :D T67

Thought: a middle school T71

Thought: k-5 and 6-9 and 10-12 for schools T72

Thought: maybe make a middle school T73

Thought: Add a middle school. T75I would much prefer a middle school then have 7's go into a big high school. It could go from 7,8,9 forthe middle school and then the high school could go to 10,11,12. I would then shut down the schoolswith the smaller kids. Even though i think its not necessary.

Thought: i would put grade 10 11's and 12's at one school 7's 8's and 9's at the T90other

Thought: Middle school T91WLSS could be 7-9 and CSS could be 10-12

Close different schools G5Thought: i would never close Kwaleem T8

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Close different schools G5Thought: close nesika instead T10

if we do go with the plan of one school two campus', i believe that nesika should be shut down andused as an extra space for class rooms or separate school grade 7 to 8. Because there will be theplay ground, the younger students won't have to grow up too fast.

Thought: School closure. T15Dont close as many schools!!! There isnt enough room for all the students from the schools beingclosed to put in other elementary schools. To be able to fit all these students into other schoolswithout putting portables into the lots would be impossible. i dont agree with portables in school lotsbecause its isolated from the rest of the school. Its like if your family expands you just park a traveltrailer in your yard instead of upgrading to a bigger house.

Thought: shut down only two elm schools T18shutting down two schools allows for the calendar option of glendale, and then there is no need toship the grade 7s out. if high school classrooms fill up any more, the teachers will probably strikeagain,

Thought: close marie sharpe the building is so old one of the oldest in williams lak T38

Thought: close wildwood T39

Thought: close diferent schools T44cloose marie sharpe, wl ,cataline, wild wood,

Do a general poll in schools on who wants these changes, and who doesn't G6Thought: Do a general poll in schools on who wants these changes, and who doesn't T54

Do this for grades 5 and up, as they should be mature enough to understand the decision.

Give 7th graders responsibilities G7Thought: Give 7th graders responsibilities T60

give us a chance to do announcements recycling etc

Not have Gr7 in high school. G8Thought: i would keep the grade sevens OUT of high school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! T21

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Not have Gr7 in high school. G8Thought: i would not bring the grade sevens to high school T29

because grade seven is preping you for high school and if you dont get that last year then you willnot be ready for high scool and they are to young and they could see thing that were not appropretfor there age.

Thought: i would not bring the grade sevens to high school T30the grade sevens are to young and they could be expossed to to many bad things such as drugs andboozes and much more. i know that if i went to high school this year i would not be ready. i dont evenknow if i would be ready next year.

Thought: no gr 7s in high school T33

Thought: no gr 7 in high school T36

Thought: No little grade 7s that are so inmature T78

Thought: not put grade 7s in high school T79

Thought: Grade 7 students T81I would not allow the grade 7 students to go to high school because they are not ready.

Thought: Gr. 7 T107i would not add gr.7 into high school because i dont think they would be ready to be with people up to5 years older

Thought: grade 7 are weird T108i do not think they should come in high schol y r they even in schoool lolo

Grade 7 lockers in separate area G9Thought: grade 7 lockers T113

we should build a place seperate from the school for the grade 7 lockers

Have the grade 7 stay at one school. G10Thought: Have the grade 7 stay at one school. T106

Have the grade sevens at one school. also split the grade sevens in half to go to two differentschools.

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Put grade eights back in elementary school and close one of the high schools G11Thought: i would put grade eights back in elementary school and close one of the T7

high schools

See if the grade 7s fit in. G12Thought: I would see if the Grade 7's think if they are ready for high school T47

You should know if they are ready for high school because if you put grade 7 kids in high schoolwhen they don't want to, there parents would end up home schooling them.

Thought: I would see if they might fit in. T48If they don't fit in and everyone's ( or some people ) calling them names, then they wouldn't want togo to school then they would also want to be home schooled.

Thought: See if I can renovate the school. T49If the Grade 7 kids move to high school, you might have to renovate the building. First you wouldhave to see if it's in your budget. Second you would have to see if they are ready for high school.And third, you would have to see if there parents are comfortable with the idea that the grade 7'swould go to high school.

Just move the grade sevens around not the rest of the high school G13Thought: just move the grade sevens around not the rest of the high school T102

keep the grade 8,9,10,11,12 at the schools they are at and move the grade 7s after half a year to seewhich school they like best

K-8 in Williams Lake not just 100 Mile G15Thought: k-8 in williams lake not just 100 mile T37

More time between classes G17Thought: more time between classes T64

7 minutes may not be enough to get to classes so give high school kids more time between classes

Thought: more time between classes T66

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More time between classes G177 minuets may not be enough time to get to your next class.

Thought: make the break periods longer to get to classes T69

Semester school change G19Thought: semester school change T110

Every semester the kids at wlss could go to the css school for classes, and the css school couldcome here for a semester. swich every semester.

Transitions classes G20Thought: Transitions classes T65

in grade 6 or 7 give kids a transitions class

Wait till more research has been done and community is comfortable with thedecision G21Thought: wait till the community is more comfortable with the decision T57

Thought: wait till more research has been done T58

Do some of the fun things, sports, fun days etc from elementary school G22Thought: You could have some of the things, sports, fun days etc from elementry T59

Thought: Fun stuff we do in Elementary School T62Maybe we can have a P.J. day and a Western Day and Movie Nights and a 80's Day etc...

Keep grade 7s and 8s in one class room G24Thought: Less classes T63

Maybe they can teach 2 or 3 subjects in one class room for grade 7's and 8's.

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Help grade sevens with the transitions G26Thought: Have only four or five transitions for grade seven T61

grade 7 barely even know the school so give them less to move from place to place

Thought: make kids happy T115students in grade 7 would be confused and lost so you could give them a schedule of their time lineso they are happy and on track.

Make more classes G27Thought: make more classes T51

make more classes that 1 school has and the other doesn't.

Put Glendale and Kwaleen kids in a school together G29Thought: put glendale and kwaleen kids in a school together T40

Make the younger grades eat lunch at a different time G30Thought: make the younger grades eat lunch at a different time T68

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ThoughtStream informationThoughtStream (Ts1) title: SD27 Student Voice - South RegionThoughtStream (Ts1) description: A chance for the students to respond to the Initial Options Report.Participants: 85 participants (names withheld)Started: 29 Nov 2012 Ended: 7 Dec 2012

Question (Q) summaryQ1: What do you feel are the key challenges with the options being proposed in the Initial Options Report?Started: 29 Nov 2012 Ended: 7 Dec 2012

Q2: What do you feel are the key benefits with the options being proposed in the Initial Options Report?Started: 29 Nov 2012 Ended: 7 Dec 2012

Q3: What would you do differently from the proposed changes to SD27?Started: 29 Nov 2012 Ended: 7 Dec 2012

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Background informationOriginal background information: Hello SD27 Students, For those of you that participated in the Student Voice on Monday, November 29th, thank you so much for your input.You provided some great insights and your input will help the Board make decisions about the future of the district. Attached is the full report from Monday's session for you to review. Some of you have expressed interest in commenting on the Initial Options Report and so we have created thisThoughtstream for you to do that. Click the link to the pdf document below to read the full Initial Options Report. Sincerely,Mark ThiessenSuperintendent of Schools, CEO School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)350 Second Avenue N.Williams Lake, BC V2G 1Z9Phone: 250-398-3809Fax: 250-392-3600

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Choose Summary

overall rating participant count average ratingGr. 8 too old to stay in the elementary 56 27 2.07Grade 8's will be disappointed with staying inelementary school

50 24 2.08

The grade eights need older role models. 39 25 1.56The grade 7s moving up to high school aretoo young

32 16 2.00

Kids have more responsibility 26 14 1.86Fewer courses/electives in Gr. 8 25 14 1.79Increased age difference in elementary 25 15 1.67Grade 8's should be in a high school, but notPSO

24 13 1.85

Not having as much freedom 24 14 1.71Students having a hard time changingschools

22 12 1.83

Wanting more sport opportunities 22 12 1.83Having the school board understand thestudents' perspectives

21 12 1.75

Future grade 8 teachers have to learn allsubjects, instead of just 1 subject

20 11 1.82

Having students agree to the changes 19 16 1.19Only grades 10-12 should only be in PSO, nomore.

19 9 2.11

Having enough room for the grade 8s in theelementary schools

16 12 1.33

No transition for grade 8s 16 10 1.60Crowding at the high school 15 8 1.88Getting kids to feel welcome in a new school. 12 7 1.71Grade 8's are too young for high school 12 7 1.71The schools in the different areas will havetrouble competing with one another

12 8 1.50

Grade 8's who fail will stay in elementaryanother year

11 10 1.10

Each area wants a different opportunity 10 8 1.25

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Gr. 8 too old to stay in the elementary 56.0Grade 8's will be disappointed with sta… 50.0The grade eights need older role models… 39.0The grade 7s moving up to high school a… 32.0Kids have more responsibility 26.0Fewer courses/electives in Gr. 8 25.0Increased age difference in elementary 25.0Grade 8's should be in a high school, b… 24.0Not having as much freedom 24.0Other (14) 227.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingThere wouldn't be drugs and alcohol aroundgrade 8's.

48 20 2.40

Better for students to go to high school 40 18 2.22More freedom for students 39 16 2.44Opportunities for peer mentoring (benefitsboth older and younger students)

37 15 2.47

Getting electives 34 15 2.27Kids will have more electives 33 16 2.06More money for the schools 26 14 1.86Grade 8's may not get into as much trouble 25 14 1.79The grade 8s will role model for the smallerkids.

24 14 1.71

It would make the grade 8s more prepared forPSO

21 13 1.62

More kids in one school make more optionsavailable.

21 11 1.91

There would be less bullying. 20 11 1.82Grade 8s can stay with their old friends. 17 10 1.70Grade 8s wont get confused or lost with noclass changes

8 5 1.60

If the grade 8s stay it would be good for theelementary schools to expand

7 5 1.40

Brainstorming and sharing ideas 6 4 1.50The education of students and their wellbeing is being thought of

6 5 1.20

Grade 8's staying in elementary 5 2 2.50

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There wouldn't be drugs and alcohol aro… 48.0Better for students to go to high schoo… 40.0More freedom for students 39.0Opportunities for peer mentoring (benef… 37.0Getting electives 34.0Kids will have more electives 33.0More money for the schools 26.0Grade 8's may not get into as much trou… 25.0The grade 8s will role model for the sm… 24.0Other (9) 111.0

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overall rating participant count average ratingPLEASE don't go through with the grade 8'sbeing stuck in the elementary.

49 20 2.45

I would have grades 8-12 in the high schoolat 100 Mile and Williams lake

32 14 2.29

I would keep everything the same as it is now. 32 13 2.46Make the Ogden bigger if the changeshappen

30 18 1.67

Tear down the Jr. in the summer and rebuilda new one it would be better

30 13 2.31

A middle school in both areas from 7-9 24 15 1.60I would keep 100 Mile Jr. open so PSO andelementary schools won't be crowded

19 13 1.46

Get more input from students 15 9 1.67Expand the elementary for Grade 8s 9 6 1.50Keep focused on the changes 7 5 1.40I would put 9-12 in odgen. 6 4 1.50

PLEASE don't go through with the grade … 49.0I would have grades 8-12 in the high sc… 32.0I would keep everything the same as it … 32.0Make the Ogden bigger if the changes ha… 30.0Tear down the Jr. in the summer and reb… 30.0A middle school in both areas from 7-9 24.0I would keep 100 Mile Jr. open so PSO a… 19.0Get more input from students 15.0Expand the elementary for Grade 8s 9.0Other (2) 13.0

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Crowding at the high school G25Thought: Crowding T76

Our school is fairly large but at times it can be incredibly difficult to navigate through the halls. I can'timagine how hard it would be if there were two more grade in our school. This contradicts myprevious point to a degree, yet it is an issue you may have to face with initial options report.Classroom availability and teacher support could be harder to find. This could prove to be a strikingdifficulty.

Thought: the amount of students in classes T78if the grade 9,s were to come here we would have to open up more class rooms which meansexpanding the school grounds and or putting the grade nines in with the grade 10,s and having a splitclass.

Thought: the amount of students in schools T79if we were to move students from the junior (gr.9} to the ogden we would have to add new wings tothe school.

Each area wants a different opportunity G13Thought: Since theres a different proposal, each area wants and has a different T21

opurtunity. WL kids think its a bad idea beacuase 7-12 is too young which i agree with, but in 100mile our proposal is 9-12 which i think isnt a good idea, cant we just have a comprimise of 8-12??

Fewer courses/electives in Gr. 8 G4Thought: i wouldnt like it cause i wouldnty get electives T1

Thought: they dont get allectives T3

Thought: No electives T9

Thought: Aren't given as many opportunities T10

Thought: grade 8's don't get electives T16electives are whet keep kids in school, so if grade 8's don't get electives, they may feel they aremature enough to make their own decisions, there for dropping out of school as they have nomotivation to be there... also as school gets harder, kids get stressed out, and electives can helpease stress

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Fewer courses/electives in Gr. 8 G4Thought: ELECTIVES T22

My brother is in grade 7, while im in grade 9, even though i will not be the most affected by this issue,i still feel terrible, ive told my brother constantly about how i enjoy and love electives and it would becheating him not to give him that opurtunity, if he doesnt have the trial year of grade 8 to check outwhich elctives and subjects he enjoys, it would be like handicapping him for the future. If he only hasgrade 9 to GET and FIGURE OUT which subjects he enjoys he could miss an opurtunity that ialready have. Because once you get to grade 10,11,12 you start picking electives that will mostbenefit your future and carreer options.

Thought: if grade 8s stay they wont get some courses that they would get in the T28junior/pso.

Thought: Less courses for us to take. T31Staying in the elementary would mean we have less school options so it would cut back on oureducation.

Thought: Less courses for the grade eights to take. T37No electives ...

Thought: Also the shops for gr.8's wont be in elementary we just don't have the T41room. (woodwork,metalwork,cooking,etc....)

Thought: The electives are also a problem because if the gr.8's stay in elementary T42and we have to walk to the high school for it, people are going to skip school. Only the people thatcare about their grades will walk to the high school.

Thought: i think that its a bad choice T45you will not get are electives or meet knew people we have already been in the elmentry for 8 yearswe do not wont it to be 9!!

Thought: in the elemtry we have the same teacher all the time T47we want different teachers that specialize in the subject not sitting in the same stuffy class room allday..

Thought: we will have the same teacher every day. T52we wont get a different teacher for different class's e.g math,science,social studies.

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Future grade 8 teachers have to learn all subjects, instead of just 1 subject G12Thought: future grade 8 teachers have to learn all subjects, instead of just 1 subj. T18

grade 8's dont recieve specialized instruction for one subject

Thought: less specialized teachers T25in high school the teachers only teach one or two subjects. where as techers in the elementary teachall of them

Getting kids to feel welcome in a new school. G26Thought: Getting kids to feel welcome in a new school. T77

The idea of a welcoming group of kids is certainly a good idea, to make the new kids to feel welcomeand safe in the school.

Gr. 8 too old to stay in the elementary G11Thought: They are to old to stay in the elementary T12

Thought: I think grade 8's will be annoyed being with younger kids in kindergarten T14

Thought: grade 8 may try to date youngr gals T20may persuade younger girls to dat them, influence them in a bad way

Thought: To Mature T23Once you get to grade 8 you become to mature to be in the same school as kindergarteners andgrade 1's not only is it bad for the younger kids who WILL pick up on EVERTYTHING! and for theolder kids they wont get the same choices and freedoms as they would in a highschool

Thought: they would be at the elementary too long T26we were just there for half there life

Thought: The grade eights are to old for elementary school. T39Thy are more matureneed more responsibility

Thought: we do not want to be stuck in elementary for 9 years!!! T50we wont meet new people and wont get new friends.

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Grade 8's are too young for high school G28Thought: I think that the grade eights should stay in the Elementary schools. T72

I feel this because the school will be very crowded, and the different levels of maturity might causesome conflict. With such a spanned age group i feel that they might feel intimidated and not reach fullpotential. They might also feel uncomfortable going from elementary school straight into high schoolwhere so much change is needed.

Thought: I think that the grade 8's should be in the Elementary schools. T74I think that they should stay in elementary because I feel that the age gap and maturity gap is toointense. I'm sure there are few grade 8's who could handle the responsibilities of high school but Ifeel that there are too many who wouldn't handle it well. I think it would be too soon for them to cometo PSO and have to adapt so much. I would have been terrified if I had to come to PSO with thegrade 12's above me.

Grade 8's should be in a high school, but not PSO G32Thought: i think the grade 8's should be in a highschool, but not the pso i think T68

i think the grade 8's should be in a highschool, but not the pso i think they should just keep thejunoir? I think it would make it way easier then making our classes way more crowded then theyneed to be... it's just a hassle to bring them to other schools along with the grade 9's.

Thought: I think the Grade eights should be in a higschool or middle school, but T69not the pso. The Pso is already pretty crowded only having 10-12 and having grade nines and oreights would just be crazy, they should have a middle school! KEEP THE JUNIOR

Grade 8's who fail will stay in elementary another year G10Thought: grade 8's who fail T19

some may have to go back to elementary which would be a disaster, or they may be pushed up tohigh school without the core of the previous year down pat

Thought: grade 8s who fail have to go back to elementary school T24

Thought: getting grade 8s to come back to elementary will be hard. T29

Thought: i think that the grade eights should be in the ogden T71

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(continued)

Grade 8's who fail will stay in elementary another year G10they are getting to that mature age and i think that being around older kids would benefit them andhow mature they are and their choices in school. alos if a grade eight fails then they would have to goback down into elementary school and i dont think that would be very fun for them.

Grade 8's will be disappointed with staying in elementary school G7Thought: they were looking forward to going to the higher schools T5

Thought: the grade 8s staying in the elementary T6they are looking forward to moving up to the high school, grade eights need freedom, they needelectives and they are too mature for elementary

Thought: Grade 8's will be Dissapointed T13

Having enough room for the grade 8s in the elementary schools G14Thought: getting room for the grade 8s in the elementary T27

Thought: There will not be enough room for grade 8 T30If we stay we may have to be educated a portable.

Thought: Not having enough room for 8 grades and kindergarten T35Every room in the 100 mile elementary school is already filled.

Thought: I believe that grade 8's should not be in this school. T66I think the school would be far too crowded and I think with more students, the amount of bullyingwould increase.

Having students agree to the changes G9Thought: Agreement between students. T63

Keeping all students happy may or may not be a priority of the board, but i think it would be one thekey challenges in making a decision for the schools.

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Having the school board understand the students' perspectives G22Thought: Adults don't understands T58

The adults do not know about how the students are feeling and what they want, the transitionessentially is affecting the students more

Thought: School board T59if the school board trusties are the ones making this important decision for so many students whyweren't they there listening to the actual voice of the students in the school district

Increased age difference in elementary G2Thought: kindergartens being exposed to grade 8 behavior T15

grade 8's have bad language, attitude, and behavior

Thought: There would be a very large difference in age. T32

Thought: There will be a huge age difference. T36Little four year olds come new to school and have to be with 13 years olds. There would be a nineyear age difference.

Thought: age difference T56some older people might not like the younger kids being around.

Thought: Age Difference T61Mixing the younger kids with the older kids. In this stage of life, each age differs so much. We areconstantly changing and growing. putting grade eights and twelves together sounds like a big jumpfor their maturity levels.

Thought: wide age group T73i think the grade 8's should stay in the elementary. Having kids who range from 12 years old to 18years old is a big deal. I think it will be bad because of parties and such. Grade 12's are so mucholder than grade 8's and i think it is to much to have them together. The maturity levels are to broad.

Kids have more responsibility G20Thought: Kids have more responsibility T55

they might not be ready.

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Not having as much freedom G23Thought: they need more freedom i guess T2

Thought: they dont get more freedom T4

Thought: Don't have as much freedom T11

Thought: Grade 8's need freedom T17to make mature decisionsusually all teachers treat everyone in elementary the same: as babies

Thought: We are getting older and want more responsibility. T33We want more freedom.

Thought: I think its a bad choice to keep the grade eights in elementary because T40We want freedom, not to be kept up in a tiny portable

Thought: We have no FREEDOM T43the classrooms are boring the same old teachers are boring, EVEN GYM IS BORING!!!!! we have togo to the Junior or the High School.

Thought: we will have no fredoom T46we dont wont to be in a fenced area we dont wont to have a silly note saying we can go out for lunch.its like jail in the elemetry!!!!

Thought: we wont have freedom T51we will be stuck in a fence we dont want to have a stupid note to leave the school grounds its like ajail!!!

Thought: Student anger T75The students who would be moving forward to the PSO wouldn't be very upset, but the grade 8's whowould be left behind would have a lot of displeasure with the way they were treated. The feeling ofgrowing up was freeing and exciting, and if I were lead to believe that I was growing, only to be shutdown, I would not be a happy camper.

No transition for grade 8s G19Thought: No transition T60

This transition seems to be necessary to help kids intergrate into highschool. They need a stepbefore they join the highschool, so they can get used to it with kids their age.

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Only grades 10-12 should only be in PSO, no more. G29Thought: I think that grade 10-12 should be in the pso, no more. T65

Students having a hard time changing schools G18Thought: I think that th people from the other schools will have a hard time T54

changing school

The grade 7s moving up to high school are too young G8Thought: the grade 7s moving up to high school T7

they are too young, they will be exposed to smoking, drugs, drinking, etc. not ready,

The grade eights need older role models. G16Thought: We need role models. T34

Thought: The grade eights need older role models. T38

Thought: i think that the grade eights should be in the ogden T71they are getting to that mature age and i think that being around older kids would benefit them andhow mature they are and their choices in school. alos if a grade eight fails then they would have to goback down into elementary school and i dont think that would be very fun for them.

The schools in the different areas will have trouble competing with one another G21The schools in the different areas will have trouble competing with one another

Thought: School T57The schools in the different areas will have trouble competing with one another

Wanting more sport opportunities G17Thought: Sports T44

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Wanting more sport opportunities G17There's no contact sports in the elementary the teachers and everybody else thinks we'll get hurt!!!!!we're more smarter then that.. and in the elementary the Volleyball season barely last a month!!!! weneed more tournaments not just one!!!!!!

Thought: sports T49there is no contact sports in the elementary like some sports in are awesome in the jr but if we stayhere we cant do anything cuz the teacher are worry worts they think were 2 years old!!!its retarded..

Thought: we wont get a choice of sports T53we will have to do the same old terrible sport every we wont have any choices

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Better for students to go to high school G19Thought: I think that its good to experience highschool rather then staying at he T42

elementary with all the younger kids. It helps them grow up

Brainstorming and sharing ideas G1Thought: Brainstorm T30

a lot of ideas were circulated, giving information to some of the staff members of the school to ashow the students feel

Thought: Students T31you got to see how the students of all ages interact with one another, thus giving a better idea aboutthe school transitions, and interactions

Thought: Feeling T32here we got to see the diversity of how all the students and some of the staff were feeling regardingthe matters of so much transition

Getting electives G2Thought: Electives T33

The kids get the highschool experience from grade eight, like usual, getting the electives, andchanging classes and having no bells.

Grade 8s can stay with their old friends. G23Thought: if they stay in the elementary they can stay with their old friends. T3

Grade 8's may not get into as much trouble G4Thought: grade 8's may not get into as much trouble T8

if around younger kids, it may bring out a softer side of grade 8's resulting in less trouble making andmischief

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Grade 8's staying in elementary G18Thought: Grade 8's staying in elementary T45

The benefits of the grade 8's staying in elementary would be that they would have another year toprepare themselves for the big changes of PSO. I feel like grade 9's are already prepared for highschool so with another year in elementary, they will be more prepared.

Thought: Grade eights in elementary school T46I feel that some key benefits with the grade eights being in elementary schools would be that thegrade eights will get one extra year to mature and ready themselves for a high school life. Inelementary schools they can't do home ec and such but they can prepare themselves to becomemore mature, and widen their variety of academics being provided so they are ready to do a higherlevel of work. They will be more comfortable and will not know the different between going from thejunior to the PSO therefore it won't effect them as much if they had already attended the Junior.

Grade 8s wont get confused or lost with no class changes G9Thought: they wont get confused with the class changes T4

Thought: Smaller school. T23Not difficult to get to classes so you wouldn't get lost.

If the grade 8s stay it would be good for the elementary schools to expand G14Thought: if the grade 8s stay it would be good for the elementary to expand T18

It would make the grade 8s more prepared for PSO G11Thought: it would make the grade 8s more prepared for the pso T17

Kids will have more electives G15Thought: kids will have more electives T28

they will learn more about trades they are interested in

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More freedom for students G3Thought: freedom T29

younger kids will be allowed to walk around at lunch, and not stuck i a little area.

More kids in one school make more options available. G20Thought: the high school will be 9 12 more kids T1

Thought: More kids in one school make more options available. T48More kids in one school make getting to know different groups of kids a lot easier and funner. Morekids would be down to participate in the things that school put on, such as dances and fund raisersso those would hopefully be more successful.

Thought: we might have more classes we can take T49this would give us more choices.

Thought: we could expand the school T50more classrooms less students in a class

More money for the schools G22Thought: Less money used T34

itll give the schools more money.

Thought: Money. T36Money may very well be the only pro of the report, i think that if the school board could put moneyelsewhere, it would make some schools better.

Thought: The benefits would be more money for the school T37

Opportunities for peer mentoring (benefits both older and younger students) G21Thought: grade 9's will have role models instead of having to role model grade 8's T7

Thought: grade 9"s will have role models T10grade 10,11 and 12 will provide a good role modelship

Thought: We would be role models for the younger students. T15

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(continued)

Opportunities for peer mentoring (benefits both older and younger students) G21Thought: The younger students could find an older role model, or assistance. T39

The younger students could be helped with their studies by older students with a largerunderstanding of the subject.

Thought: People coming together. T43It will be good, having so many kids together. Grade 12's working with all the younger kids, i think itwould be a good opening for tutoring and such.

Thought: Maturity Levels T47Bringing students to a larger school will increase their thought processes of their image and actions.When faced with students who are 4 years older then you, you tend to be less bold and strident. Theactions of the elders could be mimicked by the young, and a safer, cleaner school environment couldbe followed out.

The education of students and their well being is being thought of G17Thought: the education of students and their well beings are being thought of T35

The grade 8s will role model for the smaller kids. G6Thought: We would be role models for the younger children at the elementary school. T12

Thought: the grade 8s will role model for the smaller kids. T16

Thought: they would be role models in elementary T40but i still think the eights should come here. because they would get all their electives and lots morebenefits thatt they would not get in elementary school that i think would help towards maturing themand thier future.

Thought: they would have more role models in elementary school T44the grade 9's would mature faster, and they would learn faster about the caareers that they have,and would get a better understanding about what happens after grade 12, they would learn more ofthat,

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There would be less bullying. G10Thought: There would be less bullying. T14

No older kids to bully us.

Thought: less bullying T20

Thought: There would be less bullying going around. T21

There wouldn't be drugs and alcohol around grade 8's. G13Thought: We would be kept away from drugs and alcohol. T13

Thought: kept away from drugs! T19

Thought: There wouldn't be drugs and alcohol. T22

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A middle school in both areas from 7-9 G1Thought: a middle school in both places from 7-9 T9

this will give all of the kids a fair chance to get used to high school

Thought: not shut down the junior T20put grade 7,8,9 in the junior and k to 6 in the elementary

I would have grades 8-12 in the high school at 100 Mile and Williams lake G4Thought: i would let the grade 8s to go to the higher schools T3

they will have more freedom

Thought: grade 8-12 T4grade 8's will have role models to look up to... after the initial costs of renovations to expand PSO itwill be well worth it for numerous reasons

Thought: have 8-12 in both highschools and K-7 in elementary there are no true T5benfits from doing anything different!

Thought: I would have grades 8-12 in the high school at 100 Mile and Williams lake T6

Thought: grade 8-12 IN BOTH OF THE HIGHSCHOOLS T8

Thought: make the grades that go to high school the same in both of the places T10make sure the grades each have the same opportunities

Thought: make both of the high schools 8-12 T11

Thought: Leave the elementary a K-7 school and make the PSO a 8-9 school. T15

Thought: just not make it so hard have the grade eights come up they just got out T22of elementary

Thought: let grade 8 and up go to highschool T24this way kids wont need to go back to elementary

Thought: Put grade 8's in PSO T25They cant stay in elementary another year, its too long to be with five year olds. They need thechange , they need to start being prepared. Grade nine is too late .

Thought: i would put grades 8-12 in the ogden T37

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(continued)

I would have grades 8-12 in the high school at 100 Mile and Williams lake G4i think putting eights in with the rest of us would be a change for the better and benifit everybody insome way.

Thought: I would not separate the grade eights and nines. T40Putting the grade eights back into the elementary is hard on elementary schools and on the students.Its not a good feeling and would be detrimental to our school's community. The nines need to be inthe PSO, but on that note as do the eights. It is something that brings the youth of our communityand the PSO would be an excellent place with the younger grades within it.

Thought: Bring the grade 8's to the PSO. T41They have been looking forward to getting out of elementary school for awhile so it would be quitethe letdown if they were to stay in elementary for another year. They deserve the opportunitiesavailable to past grade 8's, such as electives. Also having more students in one school would make adiverse amount of electives more available for everyone!

Get more input from students G5Thought: give more choice T23

get lots of kids give their opinion

Thought: Elder students T28I would talk to the elder students with the staff and school board trusties to get a better understandingan an idea of what to do. because they have been through the process, and the younger studentsfrom the elementary schools do not understand what is happening to the fullest degree

I would keep 100 Mile Jr. open so PSO and elementary schools won't becrowded G6Thought: I would keep 100 Mile Jr. open so the the PSO and elementary schools wont T26

be over crowded

Thought: I would just leave the junoir the way it is. Why are they even getting rid T31of it? like c'mon.... just keep it and we wouldn't have this problem.

Thought: KEEP THE JUNIOR. it was good thing for me to have to prepare for the PSo, T33nd I think all the Kids should be able to have that opportunity.

Thought: I think we should keep the Junior. Whatever school the kids change too is T34

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(continued)

I would keep 100 Mile Jr. open so PSO and elementary schools won't becrowded G6

going to be to crowded and it might effect their education.

I would keep everything the same as it is now. G8Thought: i would keepthe schools how they are T1

Thought: I would keep everything the same as it is now. T13I think it works well to have two grades of high school students together than three gradesand have K-7 in the elementary school.

Thought: I would like to keep every thing the same. T14Keep the grade K-7 at the elementary, grade 8-9 at the junior and 10-12 at to PSO.

Thought: just keep the elementary and the JR open it would be better for ALL OF US T19!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! keep it K TO 7 in theelementary

Thought: leave it the way it is T21why make changes when its fine?

Thought: I wouldn't do much. T27I cannot think of anything i would do other than just not do it.

Thought: i would keep the school systems the same. i wouldnt change anything T30

Thought: I wouldn't do anything differently. T32

Thought: Leave it how it is. T35

Thought: I wouldn't change anything right now T38I feel that people are comfortable being where they are right now. With the grade nines possiblycoming here that would be enough change for a few years. If somewhere down the line they wantedto change things again that would be okay. But for the time being i feel that things should stay withlittle change at a time and not shock any of the kids or make anyone feel uncomfortable.

Thought: nothing T42i believe these ideas have both advantages and disadvantages

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Keep focused on the changes G9Thought: focused on change T29

keep the discussion focused on what is happening rather then extra things in the schools such asbullying etc.

Make the Ogden bigger if the changes happen G10Thought: i would make the ogden bigger if this happens T2

Expand the elementary for Grade 8s G11Thought: i wouldent do anything different accept expand the elementary T12

for grade 8s

PLEASE don't go through with the grade 8's being stuck in the elementary. G12Thought: I would also have K-7 in the Elementary's T7

Thought: PLEASE dont put the gr8s int elem T16tear down the elementary and make god damn new one new Jesus and keep the jr openPLEEEEEEEAAAAASSSSEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i hate the elementary!!!!

Thought: PLEASE don't go through with the grade 8's being stuck in the elementary. T17IT JUST NOT RIGHT! makes no sense

Tear down the Jr. in the summer and rebuild a new one it would be better G13Thought: Tear down the Jr. in the summer and rebuild a new one it would be better T18

for us.

I would put 9-12 in odgen. G15Thought: I would put 9-12 in odgen. T36

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100 Mile House Junior Consultation with public regarding Initial Options Report

November 8th, 2012 at 6:30 pm: Following is a Summary of Comments and Questions From the Public: Input # 1 - closures will affect teachers and students at the Junior. How will it affect

them? Are you doing the meetings because it’s mandatory or because you care?

Input # 2 - why close the Junior and not the elementary and move it into the Junior?

Input # 3 - if you keep it K-8, how will you expand the 100 Mile Elementary?

Input # 4 - even with the ground being contaminated with gas?

Input # 5 - are these changes for next year?

Input # 6 - not in the middle of the year?

Input # 7 - it would be better to close the elementary than the Junior. If sold will someone benefit from it? Closed bid where someone gets it for next to nothing? Will grade 8’s have electives?

Input # 8 - if the Junior sold where would the money be used? In our community?

Input # 9 - change the Junior into a pool and have Ogden students work at it.

Input # 10 - is it possible for PSO to have 8-12?

Input # 11 - cheaper putting both schools together and putting money into PSO.

Input # 12 - grade 7 grad isn’t the same if we aren’t moving on. Already have our grad sweaters

Input # 13 - give us 2 hoodies and move us to the Junior? Already have our grad hoodies.

Input # 14 - next meeting have someone develop FAQ brochure. You could see a quick overview and get up to speed

Input # 15 - only possible for people who have computers. Our First Nations community doesn’t all have computers.

Input # 16 - you haven’t updated your page since last time. Only information about Williams Lake, not 100 Mile House.

Input # 17 - is the only possibility closing a school?

Input # 18 - kids going into grade 8. What will their school year look like next year? Their environment, how would it run?

Input # 19 - would PSO be renovated by the time the kids get there?

Input # 20 - electives are a big issue. Pre-trade program, grade 8 starts to dabble in this.

Input # 21 - what about electives for grade 8’s?

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Input # 22 - kids coming into grade 8 flagged with academic needs. When they are put into special programs, how will you meet those needs? Alternate, how will those needs be met at the elementary level?

Input # 23 - if PSO is overcrowded, what about safety. Fire regulations? Are you exceeding this and how will you address this?

Input # 24 - it would only take one incident for it to be a problem.

Input # 25 - what about if kids came in for tournaments etc.?

Input # 26 - what would the Junior property be used for if sold. Who would want it?

Input # 27 - if the school isn’t sold and just sits for years, would you just save money by not having it open?

Input # 28 - what would school look like for next year. What about portables?

Input # 29 - grade 8’s in elementary school, would it look like grade 7?

Input # 30 - are facilities at PSO sufficient for 600 (maximum capacity)?

Input # 31 - why would 39 students make a big difference in deciding if PSO could hold grade 8’s?

Input # 32 - my son in grade 8 got to choose his electives this year.

Input # 33 - busing kids into PSO loses time when going into electives. That is a cost also.

Input # 34 - if grade 8 stay back will they be prepared for high school?

Input # 35 - wouldn’t it be disruptive to school to have kids moving around the school?

Input # 36 - are the teachers fully trained to teach all curriculum? Will they get as good of an education this way?

Input # 37 - thank you for the answers. This is the first time we are getting answers.

Input # 38 - you don’t have the aftermath dealt with but you are still making a decision without the implementation.

Input # 39 - timeline, what will that look like? Specialized teachers for grade 8’s? Planning on where grades go in a building. Bring in specialized teachers for grades 6-8 for smoother transition.

Input # 40 - changes happen to kids in grade 8. Social emotional needs are different.

Input # 41 - good to listen to all questions and concerns. You must have some ideas by now about the pros/cons of proposed change. What is your biggest concern?

Input # 42 - what are the teacher’s opinions?

Input # 43 - is Buffalo Creek up for closing? Why close it when it’s newer than Forest Grove? How do you decide what school closes?

Input # 44 - what about increased costs of implementing? Will they balance out in the end?

Input # 45 - what about cross-border kids, will there be enough room for them?

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Input # 46 - how much of a profile do you have of the community? Cost of living, food banks, forestry concerns, health, etc…What will happen with my child’s education? Have a big world view of the community. This is now an additional worry for people to face.

Input # 47 - north and south end issues. Are the kids in the south end going to have the same options as the kids in the north?

Input # 48 - not the same but as many options?

Input # 49 - you didn’t answer at all. You are back and forth in your answers. It’s frustrating.

Input # 50 - we aren't a rural school. That’s not the situation in this area.

Input # 51 - do people in the community get to vote in each community?

Input # 52 - will there be enough time to implement?

Input # 53 - if elementary schools go to grade 8 is the building up to standards. Will you need to upgrade?

Input # 54 - do you have enough outlets to service all parts of the school? Computers?

Input # 55 - if they had to remove the computer labs where would the money come from?

Input # 56 - what would happen with a population increase? Costs of new school?

Input # 57 - It seems like some options have been made to “balance the budget” but I am not hearing any actual ideas on dealing with the aftermath of the situation. God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason…LOL. The next 2 years of school the grade 8 and 9’s will be guinea pigs. We won’t have enough time to implement the classes by 2013. Do people get a vote on the configuration in their community? Are any of the schools actually going to close? Is that the only option to resolve the money issues? Everyone is asking about electives, if the grade 8’s stay behind. Will they be ready/prepared in math, science and language?

Input # 58 - Why the Junior and not the elementary? Any concern about gas?

Input # 59 - would be cheaper to put money just into PSO to extend a school than work on both schools

Input # 60 - when are the closures happening? Where will the money go? What would a day for grade 8’s look like? If they are in portables, if they stay in elementary?

Input # 61 - the closures will affect teachers and staff.

Input # 62 - what would the teacher ratio be in classrooms, alternate programs?


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Buffalo Creek Elementary Consultation with public regarding Initial Options Report,

November 22nd, 2012 at 6:36 pm Following is a Summary of Comments and Questions From the Public: Input # 1 - has anything come of the suggestions from other meetings?

Input # 2 - will this be open to the public?

Input # 3 - how did Buffalo Creek get singled out for closure?

Input # 4 - is it possible regarding the well to get more information about where the well is situated so we can fund-raise to have the well moved/resituated?

Input # 5 - why would the Board be against that?

Input # 6 - why was Forest Grove re-opened? Mr. Van Osch said he was righting a wrong at an earlier meeting. Our schools are 10 minutes apart.

Input # 7 - you keep saying you want to close the school closest to town but this a better, newer school with a better gym. It’s about the kids. We aren’t that much closer to town than Forest Grove. Facility is better at Buffalo Creek.

Input # 8 - regarding parking lot and traffic problems, the same trucks go by both schools.

Input # 9 - there are kids who go right past Forest Grove to come to Buffalo Creek. Students learn better at smaller schools. You are taking away from the kids by closing smaller schools. One on one time with staff. Small schools are better for education.

Input # 10 - how much new information are you collecting versus information collected from old Boards?

Input # 11 - why were Lac La Hache, Forest Grove and the other small schools not considered for closure, just our school?

Input # 12 - 108 Mile school didn’t shrink. It used to hold more when my kids went through.

Input # 13 - it seems like the decision is already made. I had asked about FAQ brochure in 100 Mile. Places are advertised by proximity to schools, houses.

Input # 14 - can a copy be sent to the schools so we can all see it?

Input # 15 - you talk about bad access and congestion and it’s not good. It seems like your decision is short sighted. You will never see a new school here because it will take years. What will you do with the kids in the short term? Make sure you go through and see how much it would cost to re-open a school. Don’t close and open schools to try and fix wrongs.

Input # 16 - talk to parents at Forest Grove and let them come take a look at Buffalo Creek. I live in the middle of both. It concerns me that 50% of Forest Grove School is closed down. It deteriorates when this happens.

Input # 17 - when you block off parts of a school it doesn’t stay the same. I’m not saying you should do that here.

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Input # 18 - 100 Mile Elementary has congestion issues in parking. What is the capacity of the Junior and 100 Mile Elementary?

Input # 19 - why close the junior as opposed to the elementary?

Input # 20 - if you close Buffalo Creek school what is the date this would happen?

Input # 21 - from a kid’s point of view, the transition is important.

Input # 22 - what about building code. Is there a report on the well?

Input # 23 - misconception about our well. We use bottled water because it’s cold for drinking.

Input # 24 - if 100 Mile Elementary moves to the Junior it’s been done in Clinton as a k-12. Regarding all kids at the Ogden, the toilets need to be looked at. They are no good. Forest Grove is a nice school but the wing that is closed has power and heating. When the school was closed the furnaces were pulled out and then replaced. Buffalo Creek is a nicer school. Forest Grove playground is inadequate. Playground needs upgrading. Buffalo Creek has a larger area to play and more open to see kids playing. Forest Grove got a grant to get drums to entice kids to go to school. If the well is a problem at Buffalo Creek, why wasn’t it addressed a long time ago? If they can check it out to see what’s wrong, why can’t we have access to fix it?

Input # 25 - thanks the Board for their answer. I sent questions to feedback.ca. I wanted the Board to answer the questions, not Bonnie. There were 2 retired district staff who justified the number of staff at the top end.

Input # 26 - you can’t say that any money you spend on teachers is a good investment.

Input # 27 - announcement from radio to ensure each child is taught how they learn. Where is that money? If you put them all in bigger schools with bigger classes, isn’t this going against the plan?

Input # 28 - greater affect of sending kids to larger schools. Is it for sure that one school has to close in the south or is it up in the air?

Input # 29 - when you make your decision think about it. I live in the 108 and spent $1500./year to drive my kids here because it’s a good school.

Input # 30 - look at the child. Some kids are able to make it in a large environment and some aren’t. I moved my grandson to this school. He had been here before and then went to large schools and didn’t like it or fit in. He chose this school when we moved back because he fit in and felt welcomed. He is in grade 3 and loves it here. Some kids are pushed through the system. I don’t want that for my grandson. Huge issue to fill schools to capacity. Not the right choice for my grandson. If you close the school and send kids elsewhere they may not go to Forest Grove. They may choose a different school. They will go where they are cared for and not just a number. Best education should be number 1. If you close this school will the funds go to Forest Grove? Will services follow my grandson? Cuts made in the past. How will services be protected?

Input # 31 - what is the plan for the land and buildings if Buffalo Creek closes?

Input # 32 - if Buffalo Creek is closed isn’t there some cost to the district?

Input # 33 - what about equipment. Put into another school? What happens in the future if you make these cuts? What will it look like in 5 years if numbers decline?

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Input # 34 - why aren’t we doing a big cut now? You make all the changes and then you will close more schools? You will close Forest Grove eventually. Why not just do it all now. Close both now and send everyone to town.

Input # 35 - how long can we just keep squeezing?

Input # 36 - have you looked at the cost of updating Forest Grove to accommodate Buffalo Creek kids?

Input # 37 - will there be a new Facility Audit?

Input # 38 - this won’t have an effect on our well situation?

Input # 39 - with the part of Forest Grove not being used, how is this for our kid’s health? Mold, mice, dust etc. Not the best situation. How do you plan on tackling this?

Input # 40 - what are the chances that we won’t have to do this again in 5 or 6 years if this happens?

Input # 41 - 100 Mile Elementary isn’t a desirable location with gas underground and gopher problems.

Input # 42 - since 1999 we have done this. How much has this cost? Money went into Support Services and then you close the Junior. This is expensive. How much is it costing? Bite the bullet and do it once and for all.

Input # 43 - if you have to close them do it once for one transition so we don’t have to do it again

Input # 44 - close the Junior and move the little kids to town. We have gone down the road too many times. Bite the bullet and do it once and for all.

Input # 45 - support services needs to go somewhere. We had money spent on the office being moved there.

Input # 46 - it’s jeopardizing our kids.

Input # 47 - Trustee Van Osch, how can you vote on a school that is closing where your kids are?

Input # 48 - Trustee Van Osch, your wife works at Forest Grove.

Input # 49 - Trustee Van Osch, we know how hard you fought to keep Forest Grove open. Your wife works there. Will you pull yourself away from the vote or pressure the Board to vote for Forest Grove to stay open?

Input # 50 - conflict of interest with your wife there?

Input # 51 - I just want to see the best school kept open. I wanted to know if Trustee Van Osch’s opinion will affect the Board’s decision.

Input # 52 - distance isn’t an issue. What area will grow more?

Input # 53 - deficit, do you have a figure of what you will save if you go ahead with closure?

Input # 54 - clarification of savings? How big is the deficit right now?

Input # 55 - busing, you are jeopardizing our kids because of other people’s choices to live out so far.

Input # 56 - why are our students affected least?

Input # 57 - does saving include the cost of closing down and moving schools/offices?

Input # 58 - what will you save on staffing?

Input # 59 - you won’t need all the staff if the kids go to Forest Grove.

Input # 60 - asks the Board to give pro/con of each school.

Input # 61 - you have to evaluate each school before you make a decision.

Input # 62 - does Forest Grove meet guidelines for different funding?

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Input # 63 - why didn’t you leave McLease Lake open?

Input # 64 - it sounds like you’ve already made up your mind. Is there anything we could do here to make you happy?

Input # 65 - people would feel better if we had more choices.

Input # 66 - how did the Board come up with these options?

Input # 67 - did someone say to you that you needed to cut money from the budget?

Input # 68 - who came up with the numbers?

Input # 69 - can’t you go to the government and tell them what you are facing?

Input # 70 - what schools did you look at regarding the Guiding Principles?

Input # 71 - no document we can look at regarding ratings? I want to know what school to send my kid to. How can you choose Buffalo Creek? How did you measure one school against another?

Input # 72 - Forest Grove can offer better opportunities than Buffalo Creek?

Input # 73 - difference in distance is 10 minutes.

Input # 74 - school of choice. Where is the catchment area boundary between schools?

Input # 75 - at one time French Immersion was considered for Buffalo Creek. Is this something you would look at?

Input # 76 - too bad we have to have French as a second language. Shuswap is what my family has learned as a second language.

Input # 77 - I want to follow Leslie (teacher) wherever she goes. My choices may be limited if schools are full.

Input # 78 - school act, are we entitled to the education we have now.

Input # 79 - look at teaching and academic standard before making that decision.

Input # 80 - with all the information you have from the public, what are the chances you will change your opinion completely? Re-doing all of this.

Input # 81 - if all that happens and you decide to close more schools. Would you leave everything open for one whole year?

Input # 82 - closing Lac La Hache School, Tom Turner said he could fit in the students into the 108. Poll the students. Some students say they have never ever seen anything. Why not?

Input # 83 - It is not the children’s fault that people decide to live farther out so why jeopardize our children?

Input # 84 - How much new information are you collecting for yourselves versus passed Boards?

Input # 85 - long-term considerations for maintenance if it’s closed.


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Glendale Consultation with public regarding Initial Options Report

November 6th, 2012 at 6:30 pm: Following is a Summary of Comments and Questions From the Public: Presentation (PowerPoint): Glendale - PAC, Teachers, Parents. (Board members received paper copies) Input # 1 - school is a constant in a child’s life. Why consider taking this away from

them? Vandalism doesn’t happen here, it’s a safe place.

Input # 2 - insecure child would rather be home with mom than go to new school. Unsuccessful in last school. May get lost in system at bigger school. Community is good for students at Glendale. (Letter given to Board)

Input # 3 - Glendale is an academic school, not into sports. Students get a good education. Teachers care at our school. Kids aren’t “pushed” through. Teachers care about students here.

Input # 4 - three sisters, one hasn’t started here yet. Wants her to get the chance to come here.

Input # 5 - Year-round calendar is great. Children lose a lot in the summer. How can that be prevented?

Input # 6 - teachers care about students. Why is 7-12, the most unsafe proposal, still being thought about? It was the most rejected of all.

Input # 7 - debate about 2 campuses 1 high school. What were your second or third options other than the above mentioned?

Input # 8 - protect educational choices – respect students. Maximize use of elementary schools. Provide a smooth transition to new schools, not 2 campuses.

Input # 9 - do you have a second choice?

Input # 10 - high school model doesn’t’ follow that principle. Glendale has had a great experience here. Programs of choice is critical. Support programs of choice regardless of what schools are closed. Large elementary schools can work if done right. Rather than avoiding transitions, support healthy transitions.

Input # 11 - is this decision already made and the meeting a formality to appease the public?

Input # 12 - wants her 3 year old brother to come here. Teachers have seen her potential here. Friends in all grades, no bullying.

Input # 13 - grade 6, too young to go to high school. Doesn’t want to get put in a

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locker.

Input # 14 - went to Horsefly as a child. Doesn’t want child to worry about going to high school in grade 7. Intimidation factor in high school is huge. Students should feel safe in school. Teachers and parents need to be involved.

Input # 15 - Cataline can be closed and sold to TRU. Move Fox Mountain kids to Glendale catchment. Glendale is a good learning environment. Cataline students can go to Nesika. Under 4 age group is higher now than it was during the baby boom. There is nothing wrong with split classes, families are split classes.

Input # 16 - parent of autistic son. We chose Glendale after looking at all other schools in town. This is the only school 100% committed to helping him. His TA is great as well as the rest of the staff. They ensure son’s success.

Input # 17 - if you move the French Program will it be the final move and how will it fit into Nesika that is already near capacity? We are enjoying our transition to Glendale. Already made one transition. Have you thought about this or will we have to do it again in 2 years?

Input # 18 - mother of student in Kindergarten. Death of brother last year was consideration when choosing school. Teachers have been great. Support is important.

Input # 19 - good education at the school. Great school, wonderful atmosphere for children to learn and grow in. Stable place for children. Listen to your hearts.

Input # 20 - Glendale is an excellent school. Business decision to close school. When the French Immersion school is moved it needs room to grow. As you look at a model other than current option for high school, what is your option for growth of French Immersion?

Input # 21 - I appreciate you have to close schools.

Input # 22 - you guys have already been making decisions for 8 months and just telling us now.

Input # 23 - parent from French Immersion program. Was concerned about balanced calendar. Community support is low for balanced calendar and French program. We need to improve support for them to make them thrive. The calendar works for working parents and childcare concerns.

Input # 24 - apologizes for offending Trustee Cooper about balanced calendar. If Glendale had traditional calendar with French Immersion would we still be on the chopping block? When there has been a threat of closure, parents take their kids out of our school. They are afraid to put their kids here.

Input # 25 - declining enrollment can change. Investment in the community (jobs) can change things. Give us a chance to thrive with the town.

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Input # 26 - your decisions are made on the thought that we will lose kids

Input # 27 - doesn’t want school to close because it’s fun.

Input # 28 - why isn’t K – 8 a good option? Explain…

Input # 29 - referring to the grade7's, you’re not really putting them back

Input # 30 - in Glendale since Kindergarten. In grade 6 now with the same kids. Good school spirit. Sister is 1 ½ years old and she wants her to go there.

Input # 31 - why isn’t there an election for a new Board member?

Input # 32 - Why was Glendale chosen to close?

Input # 33 - President of Kwaleen PAC. Comment about unemployment. Williams Lake is logging and mining town and balanced calendar needs to be looked at. We need to have good schools to attract new people to town. This removes choice and quality from the district.

Input # 34 - there are other schools students can go to.

Input # 35 - not racist, not white vs. Native. If you want to attract people to Williams Lake what do you want? You have to give them a reason to come. Can’t attract families when there are capacity issues.

Input # 36 - what is the difference between 7 – 12 and a middle school? In support of smaller schools.

Input # 37 - middle school is more cost effective than busing students between two campuses.

Input # 38 - fan of small school. Went to Prince George school with grade 1-12 in one class with one teacher. Elementary kids need to feel safe. It prepares them for life. Choices are important in Williams Lake. Put them all into one school.

Input # 39 - Grade 7 at high school isn’t a good idea. How will you keep young kids away from gang problems? Have you looked at Columneetza and Nesika together for grades 9-12?

Input # 40 - what about the gang problem? How do you keep vulnerable grade 7’s out of gang activity?


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Kwaleen Elementary Consultation with public regarding Initial Options Report

November 20th, 2012 at 6:30 pm: Following is a Summary of Comments and Questions From the Public: Presentations, PowerPoint submitted to the Board of Trustees. Input # 1 - have you thought through the Thoughtstream? Many not invited so it is

biased. Numbers won’t reflect the true feelings because not everyone used it and some schools have smaller numbers.

Input # 2 - Thoughtstream doesn’t have everyone’s thoughts on it.

Input # 3 - I appreciate that you have a difficult job. You can’t make everyone happy. I moved here because of the community. My catchment will be Marie Sharpe and only went for 3 days because of issues. Would you put your kids in that school? I’m in banking and you have a big job with finance. We need to cut costs in the least successful places, not the most successful places. We need to re-evaluate our priorities and where our value goes for the dollar. Why Kwaleen? If Kwaleen has a high level of non-catchment kids perhaps there is a reason?

Input # 4 - do you have a better way of judging schools?

Input # 5 - teaching is done to the lowest common denominator.

Input # 6 - feels young children in a grade (December), aren’t ready for grades 7-12 school.

Input # 7 - if shutting down schools, what happens to school of choice? My kids go here because I choose this school.

Input # 8 - my kids won’t go to Marie Sharpe so where will they go?

Input # 9 - why are the trustees here? This is the best school I've ever gone to. Ask your kids if they would want to move to a different school. Do you really want grade 7’s to smoke pot (drugs) etc?

Input # 10 - I’m impressed with you (student) and others who have spoken. School should be kept open. Board sounds political. There are enough people here to warrant keeping it open.

Input # 11 - none of my kids go to public school yet. Considering home schooling. Where will kids go if catchment school is closed? Can they choose?

Input # 12 - I’ve heard that school is full. Sending kids in grade 7 to high school may not be the best idea for making more room.

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Input # 13 - it sounds like it’s about money. Government offloads to schools, schools offload to PACs. An option of a “needs budget” should be considered to keep more neighbourhood schools open. Have you considered this?

Input # 14 - catchment, describe the process of assigning catchment in Williams Lake. How does closing 2 schools that by virtue of their location generate revenue, benefit the district fiscally? Is it not a contradiction to say we need to close schools to save money but give us nearly $300,000?

Input # 15 - is there a person who authorizes those changes?

Input # 16 - direct staff to make alternate reports to look at. Will the school Board direct its staff to prepare several alternative options reports using the information gathered from the various presentations provided to the Board, so that a better choice may be achieved in January?

Input # 17 - this isn’t enough time.

Input # 18 - you represent the kids, but not saying the same things the kids want you to say.

Input # 19 - have each of you individually asked if the decision is in the best interest of students, not dollars? Each of you answer please.

Input # 20 - does closing Kwaleen School fit into that perspective?

Input # 21 - you aren't considering the safely of our schools.

Input # 22 - we hear about a silent majority who supports you. Why is there opinion more important than ours? Friends or neighbours who tell you in the store shouldn’t count more than those of us who come to meetings.

Input # 23 - what is the obsession of keeping Marie Sharpe Elementary? Put them in WLSS and keep Kwaleen and Glendale open. Give Nesika students school of their choice. Make Nesika part of Columneetza so closures are, Marie Sharpe, School Board, GORW and Wildwood. Put all of them in WLSS school because it’s only 1 block away from Marie Sharpe, this is the newest school in their area. Keep Kwaleen and Glendale open.

Input # 24 - First Nations representation. Out west I wasn’t taught properly. Had to learn when I came to Williams Lake. Amount of % of First Nations funding in each school? Standards need to be played out through the whole school system. Engagement and prior information is important. What percentage of population is First Nations for schools closing? If a student is kicked out does funding stop or does it get spent elsewhere in the system? Teachers may not know the history of First Nations.

Input # 25 - Kwaleen is Shuswap. All students are Kwaleen kids, not seen by colour or race.

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Input # 26 - on behalf of parents. Involved with DPAC for 6 years. I don’t feel parents are well represented and am stepping down as DPAC Chair. Parents educate children. 70% of their education comes from parents and they deserve a voice. What is your vision for changes in allowing more value on parent consultation as advisors in the future? DPAC has never had opportunity to advise the Board as per our legislated role

Input # 27 - thanks to those who did the presentation. If there wasn’t anyone here but the Board and the presentation that should be enough to convince them to keep the school open. There aren’t many schools open on this side of the lake. Why us and not a school elsewhere. We pay for you, we are your boss. Don’t close a school in the middle of the biggest future development there will be in Williams Lake.

Input # 28 - one word missing, relationships. This system is an analogy to that. People don’t trust you. If kids don’t trust teachers, they won’t do anything for us either. Parents want kids in classes where they get noticed. I don’t want your job. We have good schools because we have relationships with our students. Consider that you are closing down the wrong schools.

Input # 29 - there are no right schools.

Input # 30 - why not bus Marie Sharpe students to schools that are safer?

Input # 31 - you say we have options, this is our school option. Why do you think closing our school doesn’t affect our community?

Input # 32 - I appreciate your position and that you have to make hard decisions. Is consolidating Nesika and Cataline in Columneetza an option? Having one high school in the WLSS building?

Input # 33 - if you had all the vulnerable kids together with other schools wouldn’t they do better with role models? Cost savings seem to be about giving high school more and less for the elementary. Quality for older kids…

Input # 34 - daughter has help at school and gets help because it’s a smaller school.

Input # 35 - lobby businesses in town for money. Do you promise that classes will stay under 30 kids?

Input # 36 - Trillium report, Kwaleen was at capacity and still put on the chopping block. The same was true for Glendale. People left our schools out of fear when the Board threatened to close them then. This Board has continued on the same path.

Input # 37 - we lost students when the last report came out.

Input # 38 - 7-12 scenario. Our schools are at the bottom of the province for academics. Putting grade 7’s into high school isn’t a good idea.

Input # 39 - we have a problem and you are putting the grade 7’s into the mix.

Input # 40 - point 8 of frequently asked questions (clarification). Facility Condition Report. Has the Board seen this report and what did you make of it?

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Input # 41 - what kind of movement and choice will be available to children and families with this report? People make choices on what is best for their child. If schools are over capacity as shown on website, what about school of choice? What will happen to the “over capacity” kids at those schools?

Input # 42 - define catchment again.

Input # 43 - how will we make it so all students can go together?

Input # 44 - having students stable in a community is important.

Input # 45 - what about my kids, 3 of them. They could be in different schools. Can sibling stay together?

Input # 46 - how is this making kids feel like they belong? I’m a teacher and we have to work with “Sense of Belonging”.

Input # 47 - your school (French Imm.) moved as a whole. Ours won’t. It’s not the same thing.

Input # 48 - isn’t it better for vulnerable students to move to a positive environment?

Input # 49 - it’s a parent’s job to make sure their kids get to school.

Input # 50 - person knows of a student in grade 5 who will have two transitions and he is a vulnerable student. It seems like you are saying some vulnerable kids are more important than other vulnerable kids. Put all catchment kids back into Marie Sharpe as a good influence. Move kids back to where they should be for catchment. Transition is affecting everyone as a whole this way and not targeting. Take out school of choice.

Input # 51 - if you have to close schools make it city wide. Revamp catchment areas at that time.

Input # 52 - three closures is dramatic. How necessary is it? Is it short cited? Why is Donna Barnett saying Funding Protection isn’t terminated? Would you describe for us the process of assigning catchment in Williams Lake.

Input # 53 - 7-12 proposal. Have you considered the environment? The dominate culture will be 7-9 who are emotionally challenged

Input # 54 - you are playing with us like we are a game, poker chips.

Input # 55 - you will continue to get the grant for our school for one year after we are closed?

Input # 56 - two schools receive that funding. This isn’t beneficial to keeping them open?

Input # 57 - how much are we saving by closing our school alone?

Input # 58 - wrap up where we go from here. Is it written in stone or can it be changed? Will you take time to consider options brought forward.

Input # 59 - is there a commitment to issue another options report? I will produce a report for you

Input # 60 - there were 5 or 6 other options presented.

Input # 61 - we are looking at a commitment that you will look at new options. It seems you already have made up your mind.

Input # 62 - is this lip service that you came to let us talk?

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Input # 63 - will there be a public presentation about other options? Not just on the extension.

Input # 64 - was Ann Stevenson sold or leased?

Input # 65 - what about Poplar Glades land?

Input # 66 - what about Crescent Heights?

Input # 67 - why not leased?

Input # 68 - grade 7’s in high school concerns me. Organizing is difficult. This comes with teacher or parent doing this for them. I believe this is developmental.

Input # 69 - would grade 7’s have one teacher?

Input # 70 - What kind of movement and choice will be available to parents and families with this initial option? The new number with this plan have Cataline 16 over capacity and Nesika 20 over and the current enrollment on the current catchment totals is 16 – but with the removal (230) from the current we have a missing 10 students not placed and while the totals 1506, cal. enrollment and 1576, cal. capacity that is 70 spots – with 45 at 150 Mile, and 7 at Chilcotin.

Input # 71 - school closure is dramatic and permanent. 3 closures is really dramatic! How necessary is 3 elementary schools? Is it short-sighted with long term consequences particularly when MLA Donna Barnett is telling constituents that the funding protection is not going to be terminated?

Input # 72 - close Marie Sharpe and spread the vulnerable children out so they have role models, rather than lumping them all together.


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Wildwood Elementary Consultation with public regarding Initial Options Report

November 29nd, 2012 at 6:13 pm: Following is a Summary of Comments and Questions From the Public: Input # 1 - handouts for Trustees and District Staff. Has a child who goes to Wildwood.

This is affecting our children deeply.

Input # 2 - we are trying to embrace the First Nations culture.

Input # 3 - our language and culture start at kindergarten.

Input # 4 - talks about highlights of letter in handout. Impact of field trips on students. Healing Circles in the school have been very effective. Inclusive school for kids and parents. Shame to tear out heart of community.

Input # 5 - bought house in Wildwood in part because of the school. My step daughter is First Nations. They learn about this at school. They learn that there is no difference between people because of race. I went to a large school and my education wasn’t as good as my son’s is here.

Input # 6 - daughter goes here, in grade 2. We live in Deep Creek and she has a long bus ride. I was afraid for her to ride the bus. With the small school the kids are all recognized.

Input # 7 - reads part of Mission Statement from district website. If you close Wildwood you might as well shred that.

Input # 8 - we have been to 3 different schools in the district. We were going to bus them to their old school but they hated the ride. It was so bad we had to switch them to Wildwood.

Input # 9 - all the kids feel comfortable talking to other parents here.

Input # 10 - we have great kids. We have values that mesh here.

Input # 11 - we feel so strongly that you may end up losing all these kids from the District.

Input # 12 - we are pleading for our school to stay open. I wear many hats. I am part of my grandchildren’s life. We didn’t like the elite segregation in town. It happens all the time. Community needs to stay open. Society runs amuck without a healthy community. Why can’t we be to grade 7? If you take away stuff you colonize us like was done to the aboriginal people years ago. You have all been kids and know what big schools do to children. Is it about the money? What about the kids? Where is your value or emotion? No one is listening, why?

Input # 13 - if it wasn’t for the community it would have been shut down a long time ago. You aren’t learning from history.

Input # 14 - would like Bob Simpson to respond. Aren’t you, the Trustees, supposed to be for the school, students and parents? Don’t you lobby?

Input # 15 - clarification on 1 hour bus ride. It is from here to town because of all the stops.

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Input # 16 - what about kids on the streets? Are they being counted? Is there no sense of belonging?

Input # 17 - no longer school grant? Do First Nations get extra funding to come here?

Input # 18 - any other options for funding? Community schools?

Input # 19 - is that an option here?

Input # 20 - question regarding independent schools.

Input # 21 - what about an education coordinator here with adult literacy?

Input # 22 - will have to go to WL next year for grade 4. Unsure of what that will be like. Will have to ride the bus and I get sick on the bus. I like my teachers here. I have a good principal. I like the healing circles. We say a lot of sorrys. I like recess. I hope you don’t shut down our school.

Input # 23 - I would feel bad if our school closed because I like our school. I’ve never been to a bigger school before. I like gym, math and science and I like the Shuswap Language. We learned two drum songs. At this school we do writing and journals, printing, art. My bus ride is 1 hr. 20 min. each way.

Input # 24 - gives petition for keeping the school open to Board. Don’t know which Trustee made this statement… reluctant to close schools where it is the heart of the community. This was said in 2011 by a Trustee. They wanted to give us a try for younger kids. Closing Wildwood would be voiding this statement.

Input # 25 - I love the k-3 setting. I’m fine with sending them to WL in grade 4. I thought it was agreed on to allow us 5 year.

Input # 26 - I was shocked by this. You just put money into the school.

Input # 27 - refers to Trustee Van Osch and Forest Grove.

Input # 28 - if you close our school don’t you still have costs to keep the building up?

Input # 29 - regarding statement made in 2011. Making the school a one-room school would be more cost effective than closing us down and then re-opening. Everything would have to be brought up to code. Cost effective keeping us k-3. Our enrollment is not declining. Our enrollment is going up. I live in town and drive my kids here every day. I don’t want to send my kids to schools in town. He has autism and needs extra help that he gets here. Since coming here my son’s speech has improved. The staff are able to remove my son from class when he melts down. We can do this because it’s a small school.

Input # 30 - we are an old fashion school. Other schools are going in the wrong direction. There has to be something we can do. Bring in learning avenues for adults. Use classrooms for home school parents as a base.

Input # 31 - we understand the money issue and are willing to work.

Input # 32 - our school uses Community Links Funding. We use it for the breakfast program, to pay the person who does breakfast program. Aboriginal day, swimming and busing.

Input # 33 - the money that comes in this way stays in our school?

Input # 34 - why can’t we bus kids here rather than out to town? Is there an option to register kids where you want to?

Input # 35 - can we solicit for more students?

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Input # 36 - we have no choice but we could give others the option to come here.

Input # 37 - Board will receive a copy of report in hand. Future Development Opportunities. Critical this school stays available for Wildwood. I live here and my grandkids went here. Keep the school open in whatever capacity you can.

Input # 38 - I was told there is no room where I want my kids to go.

Input # 39 - right, they can go there if there is room.

Input # 40 - where has 841million dollars gone since 2001. Where is it going? Why are you allowing this?

Input # 41 - every parent has a choice where their kids will go. My kids won’t go to Cataline.

Input # 42 - when was the last time there was an earthquake? 8 at night.

Input # 43 - all 4 of my kids came here. Our grandson also came here. He tried a different school when he was younger and it was awful. He had hours of homework each day. He came back here and did great. He is now old enough to go to Cataline. Kids fall through the cracks in bigger schools. 150% capacity in schools is disgusting. I don’t understand the politics or money. I have to put my trust in those who represent us. If you know what has worked elsewhere, tell us. Busing for little kids is horrible.

Input # 44 - I am here to listen and see what role I can play. Seismic decisions have nothing to do with these people. Province has large deficit. MLA’s don’t get fired for deficit. Trustees would get fired if they did this. Constraint put on school trustees. Anger needs to be directed through my office for funding/seismic issues. Unfair to claim the trustees aren’t listening. Most of these people have full time jobs. Many are advocates for education and are trying to meet the requirements of the law. I believe community schools are crucial. Two things that concern me: First Nations component and First Nations retention. You have a retention strategy here that may assist with retention. Transportation to Cataline is an issue. Partnership to determine how that might exist. Unfair to push the ideas onto the parents. Staff should be providing how the school could respond to address the issues. My message to government is the same. Funding needs to be examined. We are coming up to an election and people need to get involved. Hold people to account. Make it an issue and highlight it.

Input # 45 - we thank you for coming. We know you are stressed as are we. Let us go a few more years to prove we are growing. Leave us be. How will you guarantee not overpopulating the school are kids will go to? What is your process for making your final decision? By overpopulating I mean no portables.

Input # 46 - you can’t guarantee not overpopulating schools and needing portables?

Input # 47 - is it better for us with one class? Would we still be up for closer if we had stayed one class?

Input # 48 - it makes sense to send older kids to town for more options.

Input # 49 - can we go back to a smaller school?

Input # 50 - can we come to those meetings and pick your brains?

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Input # 51 - we can underestimate how much moving kids to other schools effects them. The priority is getting away from ensuring the fundamental thing.

Input # 52 - I went to school of 1500. Didn’t get good marks. Moved to Big Bar and went back to upgrade in one-room-school. Education was great. One-on-one education. Upgraded in that one year. 7 kids graduated with me. 2 are teachers, one works under Nassau. The education is so much more. They don’t get that kind of education in big schools. Big schools just move kids through; here we take the time to teach.

Input # 53 - it’s better with smaller classroom. I want to solicit parents to send their kids here. Don’t ask me how to do this. You tell me. Show me how to think this way. I don’t want to see the kids go off to another school and come back afraid.

Input # 54 - there is no common knowledge out there. Someone needs to talk to the parents. If this is catchment, kids should be here.

Input # 55 - First Nations people won’t ask the questions.

Input # 56 - I was told my catchment area was Cataline even though I live in Wildwood.

Input # 57 - we want to work with you. We want to talk with you more and mesh to make it work for everyone.

Input # 58 - you know that a smaller school is nicer. Couldn’t it be a pilot school for First Nations?

Input # 59 - First Nations Agreement should be addressed. I’ve hear it isn’t good here and it shouldn’t be that way. Make us a pilot project.

Input # 60 - we want to be a welcoming school. We are passionate.

Input # 61 - with all the days not in school (holidays, NIS) why is there no money?

Input # 62 - what is the oldest school in WL? 1962, Marie Sharpe. Cataline and Chilcotin can’t hold these kids. Is this a big thing to re-build Marie Sharpe?

Input # 63 - I was lied to by Diane Wright about shutting down this school. What will happen to the overflow?

Input # 64 - have they been given the option to go to other schools?

Input # 65 - do you know private school numbers? Is there an increase in the last couple years?

Input # 66 - maybe we could have a private school here.

Input # 67 - reference to Trustee Van Osch regarding private schools, he’s from Forest Grove.

Input # 68 - if those schools closed (the other two) is it possible to keep us open?

Input # 69 - what if the proposed mine goes through? What would happen? Would you open another school?

Input # 70 - 100 new hires are slated for 2013 at the mine.

Input # 71 - Trustee Neufeld has talked about this. You can’t’ plan on what may happen in the future. Many of the new projects are camp jobs. Fly in, fly out. Unfair for the Board to do “what-if” scenarios.

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Input # 72 we appreciate you coming and listening. Sorry if we offended you. If you have an option for us to stay open, bring it to our attention. We will do anything, fundraising etc. If we close, the new schools would have a harder time with the field trips we have done. We take the whole school and their family. This school is the heart of Wildwood.


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SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 27 (CARIBOO-CHILCOTIN)

2011-2020

School District No. 27

Ten-Year Plan

B O A R D O F E D U C A T I O N 2 0 1 1 . 0 1 . 2 5 V . 3 . 1

NOTE: Board Motion from 2012.12.11 released this report to the

public for informational purposes.

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School District No. 27 Ten-Year Plan P a g e | 1 Board of Education 2011.01.25 v.3.1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No. Introduction – District Context ......................................................................................... 2 (Revised: 23 November 2010)

The Planning Context ........................................................................................................ 2 (Revised: 23 November 2010)

Educational Objective ........................................................................................................ 3 (Revised: 23 November 2010)

Facilities Objective ............................................................................................................ 3 (Revised: 23 November 2010)

Part 1: Remote Schools .................................................................................................... 4 (Revised and Board Approved: 23 November 2010)

Part 2: 100 Mile House and Area Schools ........................................................................ 6 (Revised: 23 November 2010) (Revisions: 25 January 2011)

Part 3: Williams Lake and Area Schools .......................................................................... 9 (Revised and Board Approved: 23 November 2010) (Timeline Revisions: 25 January 2011)

Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 13 (Revised: 23 November 2010) (Revisions: 25 January 2011)

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INTRODUCTION – District Context (Revised: 23 November 2010)

School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) is a geographically large district (over 55,000 square kilometers). It comprises the incorporated municipalities of Williams Lake and 100 Mile House and a large part of the Cariboo Regional District (CRD), each with its own set of unique challenges. The School District offers educational programs in urban, rural and remote area schools and strives to offer a variety of programs designed to meet the needs of each individual learner in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, while maintaining 28 regular school facilities. The primary economy for the Cariboo-Chilcotin is forestry, with secondary drivers being industries in mining, ranching and tourism. All sectors have suffered in the recent economic downturn. There are early indications the forestry industry may experience some recovery, albeit at a very slow rate. Like most school districts in British Columbia, the School District has experienced declining enrolment. In the last 12 years, enrolment has dropped more than 45% from 9,133 in 1998, to 5,095 as of September 16, 2010, when this report was written. Remote schools have seen the greatest decline in enrollment, due to job loss in these communities. Enrolment is expected to level off over the next ten years.

THE PLANNING CONTEXT (Revised: 23 November 2010)

Over the past three years the School District has consulted with stakeholders regarding school configurations, educational needs and facilities needs. In the winter of 2009, School District No. 27 embarked on a fact finding mission. Data was collected through forums and other sources which resulted in a good understanding of the programs and ideals which were important to our parents and students. These discussions led to the “Our Kids, Our Future” report of the Board in May 2009. In winter of 2010, the District was facing significant budget cuts, and presented stakeholder groups and the public with options that would allow the District to balance the budget and move forward. Once again, the consultation meetings provided excellent information to the Board and resulted in the document “Our Kids, Our Future, Part 2”. Many facilities and programming options were discussed in this document. In April 2010 the Board’s decision was to not close any schools and to balance the budget through reductions and cuts in programs and administration. These reductions and cuts totaled $1.2 million. Balancing the District budget over the next five to ten years will be challenging as reducing only programs will not be sufficient. Stakeholders have also voiced concerns regarding the impact of program and service reductions. In March 2010, the Board made a motion “…that the Board of Education commit to developing a comprehensive long range capital plan.” This plan incorporates core

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educational objectives and facility recommendations to support and sustain the educational objectives.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVE

(Revised: 23 November 2010)

Student learning is the core business of the School District. The District has an excellent foundation to ensure positive trends in student learning continue. Evidence and data confirm that programs, strategies, structures and the collective work of staff, parents, students and community partners are supportive of improving educational outcomes for students. The work and effort in the District will continue to focus on improving student learning. Core Educational Objectives of the District are:

1. Improving literacy and numeracy skills for all students is a priority to ensure every student demonstrates mastery, independence and generosity.

2. Ensuring healthy schools, healthy students and that every student has a sense of belonging.

3. Documenting strategies, structures and programs in the District to improve and monitor student learning through the Student Achievement Contract.

4. Highlighting strategies and structures focused on improving student learning through School Plans.

5. Personalizing opportunities for students to increase engagement and student learning.

6. Supporting and working with staff to build capacity to support the continuous improvement of student learning which is based on research, evidence and promising practices.

7. Continuing enhancement of quality educational opportunities and innovation in this ever-changing world. An example is the support to remote schools through itinerant teachers and counselors and on-line learning.

8. Seeking and encouraging parents’ involvement in their child’s education. This is a critical component for successful student learning.

The following items will be reviewed regularly to ensure the core educational objectives can be maintained:

1. Catchment areas for schools and Schools of Choice, 2. School calendars reflecting the needs of each community, 3. Student transportation services, and 4. Access to educational learning opportunities and/or courses and/or programs for all

students.

FACILITIES OBJECTIVE (Revised: 23 November 2010)

In 2009, school districts across the Province of BC were advised to prepare a ten-year facilities plan. The Ministry of Education Capital Planning Division moved to a provincial

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facility’s assessment program, entitled Capital Asset Management System (CAMS). CAMS will allow the Province to measure each school facility against all other facilities in the province and will be used to assist the Ministry in allocating capital funding. Ten-year facilities plans and project identification reports will be the second factors used by the Ministry in the distribution of capital funding monies. As a result, it is imperative the School District develop a ten-year facilities plan at this time. 2007 marks the last formal facility change, with the reopening of Forest Grove Elementary School. Currently, 50% of school facilities house less than 100 students each, and four of these schools house less than 25 students. Many facilities are of wood frame construction and are beginning to deteriorate at an alarming rate. Schools are aging and it is very expensive to maintain the buildings while attempting to find energy and other efficiencies. Maintaining so many facilities is very expensive, given their condition and age. In choosing to keep small, remote schools open, adjustments at the urban level are required to offset costs of remote schools. The School District is also working with local government planning departments to determine areas of population growth and decline. The importance of school district facilities in small communities, especially where there is no community centre, is recognized by the School District and is considered in making the recommendations in this report. Information from consultations and information with regard to facilities collected over the past three years has been utilized to develop this Ten-Year Plan. This report breaks the School District into three distinct regions: Williams Lake and Area, 100 Mile House and Area, and Remote Schools, with recommendations for each school facility based on the unique needs of that region. For non-educational District facilities, recommendations will be provided when decisions regarding school facilities are reached. The recommendations in this report provide a long term facilities plan allowing:

1. Remote schools to remain open and viable with as little subsidization as possible; 2. The enhancement of educational programs and facilities in the 100 Mile House

area while continuing educational opportunities in rural areas; 3. Better utilization of current facilities and provision of classrooms for full day

kindergarten and early learning spaces in schools in Williams Lake; and 4. A reduction of pressure on the maintenance and operating budget by maintaining

schools in urban areas which are in the best condition and reducing capacity where necessary.

PART 1: Remote Schools (Revised: 23 November 2010)

(Board Approval: 23 November 2010) Remote schools are schools that are generally located far from another school where bus rides would be well over an hour each way. For the purposes of this report, remote schools are identified as:

Alexis Creek Elementary/Secondary

Anahim Lake Elementary/Jr. Secondary

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Dog Creek Elementary/Jr. Secondary

Horsefly Elementary/Jr. Secondary

Likely Elementary/Jr. Secondary

Naghtaneqed Elementary/Jr. Secondary

Tatla Lake Elementary/Jr. Secondary All of these facilities run K-10 programs with the exception of Likely, which runs a K-7 program. The District intends to maintain educational services in these areas for the next ten years. Service includes itinerant teachers and support services, online secondary courses and distributed learning programs to students in their homes. The following are recommendations for each remote school site: Alexis Creek Elementary/Jr. Secondary: No change at this time. Population stabilizes at approximately 30 students. Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. This school will be receiving a bio-

energy boiler system this year greatly reducing building maintenance and heating costs.

Continue to look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community. CRD currently shares the library under a lease agreement.

Anahim Lake Elementary/Jr. Secondary: No change at this time. Population for this school continues to decline, by 2015 student population will be

under 20. Monitor enrolment, continue to close spaces as enrolment declines. Should enrolment decline to under 20 students, explore closing the main building

and moving into a modular classroom. Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. School is on the 2011/12 energy

efficiency capital funding request for a bio-energy boiler system. Look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community.

Dog Creek Elementary/Jr. Secondary: No change at this time. Population stabilizes at about 16 students. Monitor enrolment; continue to close spaces. Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. Look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community.

Horsefly Elementary/Jr. Secondary: No change at this time. Population is very inconsistent but appears to be in a growth situation. Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. Look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community. Air exchange and ventilation systems are out-dated and require upgrading.

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Likely Elementary: No change at this time. Population continues to decline, dropping under ten

students in 2012-13. Monitor enrolment; continue to close spaces as enrolment falls. Should enrolment drop to eight or less, consider closure of building. Students

would access either Big Lake or distributed learning programs. Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. School has recently received new

roofing. Continue rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community. CRD

currently leases community library space, community uses the wood shop portable under the community schools umbrella as a no rent agreement.

This school does have an immediate water problem with the well that will require its replacement at a cost of $10,000-$50,000.

Air exchange and ventilation systems are out-dated and require upgrading. Naghtaneqed Elementary/Jr. Secondary: No change at this time. Population stabilizes at about 30 students. Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. This school will be receiving a full

HVAC mechanical upgrade this year which will greatly reduce building maintenance and heating costs.

Look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community. Tatla Lake Elementary/Jr. Secondary: No change at this time. Population continues to fall, dropping under ten students in

2011. Monitor enrolment, continue to close spaces as enrolment falls. Should enrolment drop to eight or less, suggest closure of building. Students would

access distributed learning programs. Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. School is on the 2011/12 energy

efficiency capital funding request for a bio-energy boiler system Continue rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community. Two

spaces are currently leased to community members. Tatlayoko Think Tank uses a space under the community schools umbrella as a no rent agreement.

PART 2: 100 Mile House and Area Schools (Revised: 23 November 2010) (Revisions: 25 January 2011)

The 100 Mile House area schools are those schools that are within a half hour drive time from 100 Mile House in any direction. For the purposes of this report, 100 Mile House and area schools include the following:

100 Mile House Elementary

100 Mile House Junior Secondary

Bridge Lake Elementary

Buffalo Creek Elementary

Forest Grove Elementary

Horse Lake Elementary

Lac La Hache Elementary

Mile 108 Elementary

Peter Skene Ogden Secondary (PSO)

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100 Mile House and area present two distinct challenges: one at the secondary level and another at the elementary level. Enrolment at the secondary level is showing significant decline. The challenge for 100 Mile House and area elementary schools is in the distance between communities and schools. Following are recommendations for each site: NOTE: The following recommendations for each site can be completed in isolation of other site recommendations. They do not inherently hinge on one another. 100 Mile House Elementary: No change at this time. Population stabilizes in five years at approximately 325

students. Continue to offer French Immersion program at this site. Continue actively working towards replacement of this school by the Ministry.

Project Identification Report is currently underway to support this replacement project as the District’s number one priority on our Five-Year Capital Plan.

Air exchange and ventilation systems are out-dated and require upgrading. 100 Mile House Junior Secondary: Actively work towards providing the grades 8 and 9 program within PSO as an 8-12

secondary. Upon appropriate facility enhancement of PSO, 100 Mile House Junior students

would move to PSO. (see PSO below) Add to the 100 Mile House Elementary proposal as a complete south end business

case towards receiving Ministry capital funding for the upgrades to PSO as part of the five year capital plan.

Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. Look for rental/lease opportunities of school space from the community.

Bridge Lake Elementary: No changes at this time. Population stabilizes at about 42 students. This school is very close to being considered a remote school due to its distance

from other communities. Community use of this school is very high, but is accessed through the Community Schools Society, rent free from the School District.

Suggest that community use become a formalized rental/lease agreement in the Neighbourhood Learning Centre context assisting in the offset of facilities costs to keep this building open for use by the community

CRD currently rents a space for the community library If the above plan is not accepted, recommendation is closure of any spaces not

used by the school or rented/leased by the community to reduce energy and maintenance costs of this site.

Air exchange and ventilation systems are out-dated and require upgrading.

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Buffalo Creek Elementary: Close school in 2012-13. Students will be distributed to Forest Grove and 100 Mile

House Elementary through the redefinition of the Buffalo Creek catchment area. The physical positioning of this school with Forest Grove makes it difficult to justify

both remaining open. Forest Grove school is more actively used by the community. Recent issues have surfaced with the well system. It is in the center of the building

and is very difficult to access. Experience indicates that these problems will lead to the necessary replacement of the well at a cost of $10,000 to $50,000.

Air exchange and ventilation systems are out-dated and require upgrading. Forest Grove Elementary: Prepare to receive additional students due to the closure of Buffalo Creek in 2012-

13. Recently underwent a small renovation paid for by a Community Connections grant

sponsored by BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA) and UBCM (Union of British Columbia Municipalities).

Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. Look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community. Air exchange and ventilation systems are out-dated and require upgrading.

Horse Lake Elementary: No changes at this time. Population stabilizes at about 180+ students. Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. We have put this school on the

2011/12 energy efficiency capital funding request for a solar energy hot water system.

Look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community.

Lac La Hache Elementary: Effective September 2011, school becomes a K-3 “one room” school program.

Grade 4 -7 students will be distributed to Mile 108 Elementary. “One room” is inclusive of one classroom, the library, gymnasium, and office (and

possibly the staff room). All other areas would be closed from usage. Transportation for these students would be at minimal cost as buses already

currently run in to 100 Mile House with the secondary students. Classrooms and other spaces will be closed. Continue actively seeking energy

efficiencies. Air exchange and ventilation systems are out-dated and require upgrading. Look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community. Actively

seek CRD Library agreement/rental. Mile 108 Elementary: For September 2011 receive additional students due to the change of Lac La

Hache Elementary. The additional students do not put this school over capacity. Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. Received a solar hot water system in

2010 and is undergoing a geo-energy upgrade to the heating and cooling system, replacing the deteriorating cooling tower at this site.

Look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community

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Peter Skene Ogden Secondary: Work towards future amalgamation with 100 Mile House Junior into a grade 8-12

secondary program. Capital investment will be necessary to renovate PSO for additional specialty areas

including shop and gymnasium space. Funding could be provided by the Ministry or through request to use restricted by Ministry capital funds held at the district level.

In conclusion, the District plans to add the PSO/100 Mile Junior renovation to the 100 Mile House Elementary project identification report making a full proposal as a complete south end business case towards receiving Ministry capital funding for the new 100 Mile Elementary and renovations to PSO as part of our five year capital plan.

PART 3: Williams Lake and Area Schools (Revised: 23 November 2010)

(Approved: 23 November 2010) (Timeline Revisions: 25 January 2011)

The Williams Lake and area schools are those schools that are within a half hour drive time from the Board Office located in Williams Lake in any direction. For the purposes of this report, Williams Lake and area schools include the following:

150 Mile House Elementary

Big Lake Elementary

Cataline Elementary

Chilcotin Road Elementary

Columneetza Secondary (CSS)

Glendale Elementary

Kwaleen Elementary

Marie Sharpe Elementary

Mountview Elementary

Nesika Elementary

Wildwood Elementary

Williams Lake Secondary (WLSS) The challenges facing the Williams Lake area include overall declining enrolment; four schools including the secondary schools are under capacity; two rural schools are significantly under capacity and six elementary schools have enrolments over capacity. These six schools will continue to have even greater capacity issues in 2011 when full-day kindergarten (FDK) begins. Simply put, elementary schools in this region are not located where families are living nor where residential development is occurring. Following are recommendations for each site: NOTE: Unless otherwise stated the recommendations will occur for the 2012-13 school year. With the exception of Wildwood, the recommendations for each site inherently hinge on one another and cannot be completed in isolation of each other. 150 Mile House Elementary: Move to K-5 configuration for September 2012. Population continues to grow and

by 2018 it is estimated this school will again be over capacity. This school has been approved and funded by the Ministry to receive a Modular

Learning Centre to assist with FDK enrolment. The modular is scheduled for

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hookup by August 2011. Significant site work is required and must begin immediately. Value of this renovation is $350,000.

Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. Received a solar hot water system in 2010.

Look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community. Currently the school houses an after school program rent free as per current policy.

Big Lake Elementary: Move to K-5 configuration for September 2012. Population stabilizes at

approximately 17 students Monitor enrolment, continue to close spaces as needed. Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. Look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community.

Cataline Elementary: Effective August 2011, receive additional students from the closure of Wildwood

Elementary (see Wildwood below). Move to a K-5 configuration for September 2012. Prepare to receive students from Marie Sharpe Elementary English Program (see

Marie Sharpe below) through redefined catchment. This school has been approved and funded by the Ministry to receive a renovation

to assist with FDK enrolment. The project involves turning the upper floor of the EJ Bare Centre (Resource Centre) to an annex of the school housing two to three classrooms. This would increase this school’s capacity by 50 to 75 students. Value of this renovation is $500,000.

Prepare to receive additional students from the closure of Glendale Elementary in 2015-16 (see Glendale below).

Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. This school is on our 2010-11 Five-Year Capital Plan, requesting a full HVAC mechanical upgrade.

Look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community. Chilcotin Road Elementary: For September 2011, add portables as required to accommodate Full Day

Kindergarten. Move to a K-5 configuration for September 2012. This area has been identified by

the City of Williams Lake as a growth area with continued development of the Westridge community.

This configuration allows growth of 65 students into this facility. This school cannot be expanded any further due to limitations on its water and

septic systems. To expand would require significant capital outlay and cooperation from the City to work towards hooking this facility on to City sewer and water systems.

Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. This school is on our 2010-11 Five-Year Capital Plan, requesting a full HVAC mechanical upgrade.


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Columneetza Secondary: Reconfigured to grades 9-12 for September 2012. Prepare to receive additional

students from the reconfiguration of WLSS as part of this overall area recommendation.

School will be over capacity for a short time (approximately 100 students) but falls under capacity by 2015 using current estimated enrolment projections.

Capital investment will be necessary, request use of restricted by Ministry capital funds to renovate for additional specialty space (science and shops).

Negotiate with TRU through our Joint Use Agreement to use their gym space for senior students until capacities drop or additional space can be built.

Use portables as general classroom space for the short term as student enrolment falls under capacity quickly and general space within the school should then be sufficient.

Glendale Elementary: Effective August 2011, receive French Immersion program students from Marie

Sharpe (see Marie Sharpe below). Move to K-5 configuration for September 2012. Close this school in 2015-16. Continue preparation of Nesika and Cataline to

receive the students from this school, one to receive French Immersion program and one to receive the year-round program.

This school is 62 years old and is of wood construction that is deteriorating. It will continue to deteriorate and will continue to have rising maintenance costs.

Look to sell Glendale property and reinvest funding into District capital projects Air exchange and ventilation systems are out-dated and require upgrading.

Kwaleen Elementary: Move to a K-5 configuration for September 2012. This area has been identified by

the City of Williams Lake as a growth area with continued development of the Prosperity Ridge area by the Pioneer Log Homes company. Residential growth will not occur for at least five to ten years according to City planners.

Recommend working towards replacement of this school on a site located near Hodgson Road at the western most tip of the Prosperity Ridge development. This would allow potential consolidation of Kwaleen Elementary and Mountview Elementary as well as an overflow for the Westridge area in the latter years of this plan.

Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. Look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community.

Marie Sharpe Elementary: Effective August 2011 French Immersion program moves to Glendale Elementary

(see Glendale above). Also, August of 2011 Marie Sharpe Elementary becomes the home of the following

School District programs and services: o Skyline Alternate; o GROW (school age students); and o Resource Centre (EJ Bare Centre) services

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For September 2012, with K-5 configuration, re-envision as a true Neighbourhood of Learning Centre. English program students are distributed by redefined catchment areas to Nesika, Cataline and 150 Mile House elementary schools (see individual schools for more information)

August 2012, Marie Sharpe Elementary becomes the home of the following School District programs and services:

o Distributed Learning offices and classroom; and o Aspects of Elementary and Secondary transitions programs;

From the community (Neighbourhood Learning Center) standpoint the site would

continue to lease space to Wiggles and Giggles Daycare, Boys and Girls Club afterschool program and the Williams Lake City Rec & Roll after school program.

Work towards further utilizing the building for additional community lease arrangements.

Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. This school is on the 2011-12 energy efficiency capital funding request for a solar energy hot water system.

Mountview Elementary: Move to a K-5 configuration for September 2012. Population continues to grow

according to enrolment estimates. This configuration creates room for FDK and additional growth until 2016-17. This

school is in poor condition and will continue to require higher maintenance costs due to condition and age.

Recommend working towards replacement of this school on a site located near Hodgson Road at the western most tip of the Prosperity Ridge development. This would allow potential consolidation of Kwaleen and Mountview elementary schools as well as an overflow for the Westridge area in the latter years of this plan.

Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. Look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community. Currently

houses an after school program, rent free as per current policy. Nesika Elementary: Move to a K-5 configuration for September 2012. Prepare to receive students from Marie Sharpe Elementary English program (see

Marie Sharpe above) through redefined catchment areas. Current numbers indicate that this school is over capacity by 28 students; however,

there is still a classroom not being utilized. Prepare to receive additional students from the closure of Glendale Elementary in

2015-16 (see Glendale above). Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. This school received a full HVAC

mechanical upgrade in 2010. Look for rental/lease opportunities for school space from the community.

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Wildwood Elementary: Close school in 2011-12. Students will be distributed to Cataline Elementary. The physical positioning of this school to Williams Lake makes it difficult to justify

maintaining given the declining school enrollment. This school has an immediate water problem. The well requires replacement -

anticipated cost: $10,000-$50,000. Community use of the school is growing; community use of the site is extensive

(community continues to work on an ice rink project on the site). Recommend that agreement for use of the site be extended to the CRD and the community.

There would be no additional costs for the transportation of these students as busses already run this route.

Air exchange and ventilation systems are out-dated and require upgrading. Williams Lake Secondary: For 2011-12 only, dedicate space to Distributed Learning offices and classroom. Reconfigure to grade 6-8 middle school for September 2012. Prepare to receive

students from the reconfiguration of Williams Lake area elementary schools as part of this overall area recommendation.

This school is in excellent condition and should be well suited for this age group. Continue actively seeking energy efficiencies. This school is currently undergoing a

boiler replacement and has been put on the 2011/12 energy efficiency capital funding request for a solar energy wall which would heat the gymnasium wing with excess heat available for use in the rest of the school.


CONCLUSION (Revised 23 November 2010) (Revision: 25 January 2011)

Over the past three years the District has facilitated many discussions regarding education, programs, facilities, programming and configurations. Through this process many options have been presented to both the community-at-large and the Board of Education on these topics. These options have not been repeated in this report; rather, the information and experiences from these conversations have been used for the School District Ten-Year Plan report presented here. The District continues to be in a challenging budgetary situation and will continue to rely on funding protection. At the time of this report, the future of funding protection in the province is unknown. It will be a significant struggle to balance the budget only through program cuts. The recommendations in this report could assist the School District in reducing costs and becoming more efficient, while maintaining excellent educational spaces for all learners. Note: It must be recognized that the availability of Ministry funding could result in date/timeline changes to this plan.

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Board of Education of School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)

P: 250.398.3833 F: 250.392.3600 350 Second Avenue N Williams Lake, BC V2G 1Z9

Administrative Structure Review School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)

August 2012

Executive Summary Introduction The Board of Education, as part of their ongoing development of the Strategic Plan process, requested an independent review be conducted of the District’s Administrative positions and the Governance Structures. Proposals for this review were submitted by external consultants and this was followed by a teleconference between the consultants and the Board. The results of these conversations led to the selection of two consultants, former B.C. Superintendents Mike McAvoy and Sheila Rooney, to complete the Review. Purpose of the Review The purpose of the Administrative Review was to conduct a Comparative Analysis of the Organizational/Governance Structures and the Administrative Staffing levels of the district, to determine district effectiveness and to ascertain whether staffing levels are adequate or if there may be cost savings through staff reductions and/or reorganization. Included in the Administrative Review was a brief history of the changes which have already taken place in the district through previous budgetary reductions. The purpose of the review was also to establish a benchmark for future discussions as well as providing useful information to support the district’s Strategic Plan. Scope of the Review The scope of the review involved a comparison of similar sized districts to that of the Cariboo-Chilcotin School District. The districts chosen had similar characteristics, and took into consideration the uniqueness and complexities facing School District No. 27, (geography, enrolment decline, student demographics, First Nations communities and Band schools). The Comparative Analysis, included a review of the governance structures of the district as follows (i.e. the Superintendent’s Office, Educational Services, Secretary Treasurer’s Office, Finance, Human Resources, Facilities Operations and District and School Based Administrators) Process The consultants met with District Staff, contacted the selected districts, gathered additional information from a variety of sources, researched different district governance models and reviewed administrative levels.

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Collection of Data The consultants began their work by collecting data from the following sources:

• BCPSEA • School District Websites • Ministry of Education • Background materials from School District No. 27 • Teleconference with the Board of Education

Meetings in person with the following people from the Cariboo-Chilcotin School District

• Trustees: William Van Osch, Tanya Guenther, Patricia Baker, Jackie Austin • Superintendent (Diane Wright) • Secretary Treasurer (Bonnie Roller) • Director of Human Resources (Mark Wintjes) • President of the CCTA (Joan Erb) • District Principal (Jerome Beauchamp)

Telephone conversations with:

• Assistant Superintendent (Harj Manhas) • President CCPVPA (Silvia Dubray) • Newly appointed Superintendent of Schools (Mark Thiessen)

The following Districts were chosen for the comparison:

• Southeast Kootenay (School District 5) • Kootenay Lake (School District 8) • Peace River North (School District 60) • Campbell River (School District 72) • Coast Mountains (School District 82) • North Okanagan-Shuswap (School District 83) • Nechako Lakes (School District 91)

NOTE: Data from all districts was taken from the 2010-11 school year or earlier.

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Comparative Analysis (2010-2011) Section 1 – District Administration

Range of Comparison

Districts School District No. 27

Number of students 5,203 (Nechako Lakes) to 6,989 (North Okanagan-

Shuswap) 5,520

Number of schools 21 (three districts) to 31

(North Okanagan-Shuswap) 32

Number of school administrators 32 (two districts) to 44 (North

Okanagan-Shuswap) 42

Number of district administrators/managers/officers

10 (Southeast Kootnenay) to 14 (three districts)

15

Conclusions from District Administrative Analysis The review found no overwhelming evidence that the District Administration levels of School District No. 27 were inconsistent with other districts. Further analysis and review in regards to reduction/restructuring/additions should be done at a later date in the following areas:

• Superintendent’s Office and Education Service o The review suggested that “the Board and Senior staff may wish to explore the

current capacity of this area to continue to support current and future student learning”.

• Human Resources • Secretary Treasurer’s Office, Finance, and Information Technology • Facilities Operations • Administrative Assistants

With regards to School Based Administration, the review suggested that senior staff may wish to explore:

• A re-examination of the “bands formula” (i.e. administration time based on school enrolment)

• Some further school consolidations • Increased use of Head Teacher time • A review of the leadership responsibilities

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• Increased district support and professional development opportunities for school based administrators

• Building leadership capacity in the district at all levels Section 2 – Governance Using the same districts for comparison, School District No. 27’s governance structure was reviewed in order to explore ways to become more efficient and effective. Roles of the Board, district administrators, and school administrators were studied as well as the numbers and roles of Board committees. All the boards in the review appeared to operate on a hybrid model of governance that falls between the Traditional Management Team model and the Policy Model continuum. The governance structure policies and operations in School District No. 27 reflect a balance of trustee oversight in the areas of policy, finance, and First Nations while delegating significant flexibility to the Superintendent/CEO to deal with personnel issues and operational matter. Many interviewed as part of the review process expressed concern about the number of committees and the time required by trustees and staff to attend meetings and serve on committees. Comments and suggestions:

1. The Board may wish to consider taking the opportunity in the immediate future to have a planning session or retreat with the Superintendent in order to begin the development of a unified team and a shared understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each in this new partnership.

2. The Board may wish to consider reviewing or modifying the structure and operations of their First Nations Education Committee.

3. The Board may wish to consider reviewing or modifying the structure of their Policy Standing Committee and Policy Advisory Sub Committee.

4. The Board may wish to consider reviewing or modifying their standing committees’ meeting dates or having one standing committee take on multiple roles.

5. The Board and the Superintendent may wish to make the Education Standing Committee a committee of the whole.

6. The Board and the Superintendent may wish to establish a monthly session to discuss issues and concerns related to their professional working relationship.

7. The Board and Superintendent may wish to consider establishing an Annual Committee Review process.

8. The Board may wish to undertake an annual self evaluation with the intent of continuous improvement to its corporate operations and processes.

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