Facilities Plan Backgrounder

Background: Process and Data

In August 2014 the Board embarked on its long range facilities planning process with the following principles at its core: provide best learning environments, sustainability and stability, renewal, better, more pro-active delivery of services to students and stakeholders, more competitive, effective organization, provide best workplace for employees, lower cost of ownership to transfer investment from operations and capital to the classroom.
In February 2015 the Board reviewed possible future school configuration scenarios (over 90 collected through public and staff feedback). In February 2016, the Board directed staff to carry out a full analysis of 50 possible future school configuration scenarios (Appendix A). These 50 scenarios were identified based on a fit analysis. The fit analysis looked at the capacity ranges of our schools and was Criteria #7 of the 16 weighted criteria to be used for analysis as identified by the Board in September 2014 (see page 4). Option N30 was added to the analysis as a result of the scenario scoring feedback period and a suggestion from the public. Data - Facilities & Financial affiliated data is provided below.
On July 12, 2016 the Board held a Special Open Board Meeting where it resolved to consider the following schools for closure: Yahk Elementary School, Salmo Elementary School, Trafalgar Middle School, Creston Education Centre, Jewett Elementary School and Winlaw Elementary School.
In April of 2018, the Board, the Town of Creston, and the Regional District of Central Kootenay Electoral Areas A, B and C agreed on a collaborative solution for the Creston Education Centre and associated programming:

Creston Education Centre - Statement from SD8, Town of Creston and RDCK - April 11, 2018

Students and Staff are on the Move: Creston Education Centre Closure - Media Release - January 24, 2018

Consideration of School Closures Notice of Public Meetings

Draft Plan

At its Special Open Board Meeting on March 29, 2016, the Board unanimously advanced DRAFT 1 of the District’s Facilities Plan forward for public consultation from March 29 to April 30, 2016.“In the first place, we want more programs and services for students. Infra-structure can’t be addressed with current annual facilities grant funding. With empty space and aging buildings we can’t invest in learning, in classrooms. The draft plan is somewhere to start from.” Chair Lenora Trenaman.“With daunting challenges ahead: declining enrolment, government funding and aging infra-structure, the draft plan is a starting point for conversations with communities about the 5000 students we have now, and the 5000 students to come.” Trustee Curtis Bendig.“The board received 100’s of pieces of feedback from constituents as a result of the scoring feedback period and is committed to its draft plan.” Trustee Dawn Lang.“It’s a very challenging conversation and we want to hear from everyone affected in the district. Making change is hard and when we walk away after completing this work we need to work together.” Trustee Sharon Nazaroff.