By Ashley Legassic

SD 73 moving forward with Westsyde Elementary consultation process

Jan 17, 2019 | 3:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops-Thompson School District is taking another step toward reopening Westsyde Elementary School.

In a news release, School District 73 said it’s beginning the consultation process to re-draw the David Thompson Elementary catchment area and re-open Westsyde Elementary School for the September 2019 school year.

Trustees approved the recommendations at a board meeting earlier this week.

A town hall meeting for David Thompson Elementary parents to discuss the changes will be held Jan. 30 at 7:00 p.m. at David Thompson Elementary School. Petitions and presentations from the community will be accepted until Feb. 28.

“School catchments are rarely permanent,” said Superintendent Alison Sidow. “Each school has a limited enrollment capacity and neighborhoods evolve as demographics change.”

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Elementary schools in Kamloops typically accommodate 300 to 400 students, according to the release, and David Thompson Elementary School is currently at 125 per cent of its capacity with projected enrollments to stay at that level.

“David Thompson is one of the smallest buildings in our district with 400 students,” said Rob Shoen, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools. “Its lack of space means there is a challenge in accommodating learning assistance spaces, interdisciplinary team meetings and providing regular access to common areas such as the library and gymnasium in the school.”

With the proposed changes, the district anticipates 250 students to enrol at David Thompson and 175 students at Westsyde. By 2023, a projected enrollment of 299 students at David Thompson and 208 at Westsyde is expected.

The estimated cost to re-open Westsyde Elementary is roughly $1.2 million. The budget allows for new library books, desks, sporting equipment and renovations to the school, including the playground, the district says.