File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

School District

Kamloops-Thompson School District seeks input on budget, catchment changes

Apr 13, 2021 | 12:44 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops-Thompson School District is looking for public input on a host of plans meant to accommodate ballooning enrollment — both long-term and short-term.

In the shorter term, the district is seeking input on a $197 million budget for the upcoming school year.

Chair Rhonda Kershaw says the budget includes a small shortfall thanks to some new expenditures planned.

“We saw our enrollment really change this year — and it fluctuates weekly, really. We do also have a number of additions to the budget that we intend to keep that were funded this year and are currently looking like they won’t be funded next year, so we do have a small budget shortfall.

“The daytime janitors that we had put into place this year as a result of COVID, we have kept. We have also looked at some specialized teachers for the Chris Rose Therapy Centre (for Autism) to help with some behaviour challenges that some schools are seeing. And because of our increased enrollment in some of our bigger schools, we are adding two vice-principals.”

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To learn about the budget and offer your input, click here.

In changes that would impact the longer term, Kershaw notes the board is also contemplating a Long Range Facilities Plan and, by extension, adjustments to catchment areas that impact the Kamloops south shore schools.

“We’re looking at growing to about 17,000 students during the life of the plan. It’s substantial growth and most of it is concentrated within the city of Kamloops,” she said. “That does pose a challenge for us because, of course, we have space in the district, it’s just not in the right places.”

Those adjustments include accommodating the proposed re-opening of Ralph Bell Elementary School in Valleyview.

Kershaw notes the district’s plans also rely heavily on the provincial government coming through with new capital funding.

“Currently, our Number One ask in our report submitted last June is (an elementary school for) Pineview Valley. We’re busing an entire school full of students out of that neighbourhood.”

To learn more and have your say on the potential changes, visit the school district’s website.