Public to have say March 27 on Stuart Wood school closure

NEWS — With almost no discussion, the Kamloops-Thompson school board voted unanimously tonight (Monday) to hold a public meeting March 27 on the possible closure of the historic Stuart Wood elementary school.

The board also voted unanimously on five other recommendations from staff that include consolidating South Kamloops secondary into one building, directing kids from Pacific Way elementary to Sa-Hali secondary instead of SKSS, monitoring several other catchment areas and setting up a committee on possible expansion of the French Immersion program.

Schools superintendent Terry Sullivan reminded the board that by law it must consult the public before closing a school. If trustees rejected the idea of closing Stuart Wood they could vote down the recommendation.

Trustee Meghan Wade said a public meeting should be held “in order to look at the pros and cons on both sides.” Trustee Gerald Watson agreed, saying the public needs to have input on “a concrete proposal.”

Trustee Kathleen Karpuk moved the recommendation and Wade seconded it.

Trustee Annette Glover tried adding a seventh recommendation that would consider moving Lloyd George Elementary students to Beattie School of the Arts, and Stuart Wood kids to Lloyd George if Stuart Wood closes, but she was the only one to vote for it.

“I’m sure it will come up in discussion,” Sullivan said.

The public meeting will also look at changes to Beattie. Full text of the recommendation states: “That the board set the date for a public meeting to hear presentations on the possible consolidation of Beattie School of the Arts into one building at the John Peterson campus on Ninth Avenue and to hear presentations on the possible closure of Stuart Wood elementary school and the possible relocation of the staff and students at Stuart Wood elementary at the Beattie campus on McGill Road.”