Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

SD73 PLAN PROMISED

Parkcrest Elementary: What’s next for staff and students?

Sep 6, 2019 | 10:19 AM

KAMLOOPS — 24 hours after Parkcrest Elementary burned down, questions about the future of the school abound. First and foremost is what will happen with the students and staff for the rest of the school year? This afternoon, School District #73 held a press conference, along with city staff and Kamloops Fire Rescue, to discuss the next steps down the road to recovery for the Parkcrest Community.

Emotion hung heavy at Parkcrest Elementary on Thursday night (Sept. 5), as hundreds watched a fire gut their neighbourhood school.

Friday morning, students and staff gathered at the school, posting signs and messages of support, all the while wondering about their futures at Parkcrest Elementary.

“I was staying home, thinking what would happen next when we come back to school,” one Grade 6 student pondered.

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: What is the difference between a food policy council and frontline services?

20m ago

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: John Horgan had 'the gift'

Nov 14, 2024

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: New 'iconic' Kamloops tourist attraction in development

Nov 13, 2024

Meanwhile, district administration met with school staff at the Henry Grube Education Centre Friday morning (Sept. 6) to discuss what that future looks like.

“We do have a tentative plan, which I can’t share with you at this point in time,” SD73 Superintendent Alison Sidow told media at a press conference Friday afternoon.

According to Superintendent Alison Sidow, her priority during the fire was ensuring the safety of everyone at the school. Once that was confirmed, School District administrators turned their attention to finding a new home for around 350 students and 40 staff who have been displaced.

Image Credit: CFJC Today

Sidow says the district needs to work with stakeholders to get all the details of their plan in order before it’s revealed to staff, students and the public. That plan could include portable classrooms, and possibly reopening an old school facility.

“Everything is on the table,” Sidow told the media Friday afternoon. “We are working with the city. We are looking at all our options. We do have a… preferred plan, we’re just meeting with those who are impacted as a result of that plan. We will be able to advise the public, our families, and our staff of that plan early next week.”

It’s estimated a replacement for Parkcrest Elementary will cost in the neighbourhood of $18-20 million.

“The district will be completing a Project Development Report which will be submitted to the Ministry (of Education),” SD73 Secretary-Treasurer Kelvin Stretch explained. “It’s a fairly fulsome report; we completed one for Valleyview, for the expansion. It’ll take some time to put it together.”

According to School Board Chair Kathleen Karpuk, the goal is to get kids back in front of their teachers by Monday, September 16.

“It’s extremely important the kids get back into school, back into a routine,” Karpuk told CFJC Today. “[They should] have that reassurance that their teachers are there and they’re safe. It allows us to work with the students to ensure they’re able to process this experience.”

As of right now, the real question is where that might occur.