File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Aaron Schulze

Catchment Areas

Catchment areas altered near Westmount Elementary School due to enrolment pressure

Mar 1, 2022 | 11:08 AM

KAMLOOPS — The School District 73 (SD73) Board of Education voted Monday night (Feb. 28) to change the catchment areas of three schools to relieve enrolment pressure at Westmount Elementary School.

As of September 2022, SD73 says approximately 95 students from Westmount Elementary School will go to either David Thompson or Westsyde Elementary School. The district says Westmount is at 181 per cent capacity, with 41 per cent of its student population in six portables.

“Given SD73’s current enrolment pressures— we are growing at a rate of one medium-sized elementary school (250 students) each year— catchment changes are our only strategy left, but not a solution,” Heather Grieve, SD73 board chair says. “In making the catchment changes, we are temporarily solving our over-enrolment pressures and such changes are not favored by some — and rightfully so.”

The David Thompson Elementary catchment change includes residences north of Raven Drive to Stagecoach Drive and Cantle Drive, while the Westsyde Elementary catchment includes residences north of Stagecoach Drive.

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The David Thompson Elementary catchment change includes residences north of Raven Drive to Stagecoach Drive and Cantle Drive, while the Westsyde Elementary catchment includes residences north of Stagecoach Drive (SD73).

The catchment change affects students who are currently in Kindergarten to Grade 5.

Students who are currently in Grade 6 would be permitted to stay at Westmount Elementary for their Grade 7 year, as well as their siblings. The district says bus transportation would be available for students traveling to both David Thompson Elementary and Westsyde Elementary.

“Throughout this last year, and years prior, we have heard from the District Parent Advisory Council, Advocates of SD73 and Westmount parents about the need to address enrolment pressures at this school,” said Dr. Rhonda Nixon, Superintendent, SD73.

According to SD73, advocates raised concerns about not having enough space inside Westmount Elementary School and outside of the school during high traffic times before and after school. The board provided a bus in January, but the district notes it does not solve traffic congestion.

While consultation is not required when the board of education amends catchment areas amid enrolment pressures, the district says the board will engage the community to determine how to support families that are required to make the change to a different school.