Mayor calls on SD58 to move upcoming meeting discussing school closure to Merritt

Merritt’s mayor has added his voice to the growing chorus calling on School District 58 to hold a crucial upcoming meeting in Merritt instead of Princeton.

The Sept. 10 meeting will discuss opening consultation on the potential closure of a school in Merritt. It does not guarantee the Nicola Similkameen Board of Education will decide to close a school.

Even so, Mike Goetz says many Merritt residents can’t make the journey to Princeton to have their voices heard, and they deserve to have questions answered in their own community.

“It kind of cuts the knees out from anybody in Merritt — a lot of people can’t make that trip,” Goetz said. “This is very concerning to see a third school go down in this city. We’re growing. I’m a little confused on where we’re going here. We would like to see this meeting held within our community and if the city has to step forward and give them a venue, we’ll do that.”

Earlier this week, SD58 Board Chair Gordon Swan told CFJC Today Princeton happens to be where the board’s first regular meeting of the year was scheduled to be held.

“I just don’t understand why legislation would allow you to have a meeting in another completely different community about schools closing in this community — especially when half the board is from this community,” he said. “If it’s some sort of rule that say you have to do that, then fine. It would be a good idea for the board to get that information out so we can all see it.”

Swan says closing a school could save the district $400,000 to $600,000. He notes the district had three schools at more than 40 per cent below capacity last school year. Central Elementary and Collettville have been identified as the schools that could potentially face closure.

The process that precedes a school closure decision is a lengthy one, but that gives Goetz little comfort about the Sept. 10 meeting.

“I understand it’s a 12-month period. That’s not a problem, but the meeting is open to anybody who wants to put their name on a list and speak at it, which I intend to do,” said Goetz. “Still, this meeting should be held in Merritt.”