An overview of some schools in Kamloops affected by the proposed catchment area changes. (Image Credit: SD73)

By Victor Kaisar

Catchment Changes

SD73 seeking feedback on catchment area changes connected to new school in Pineview Valley

Dec 9, 2024 | 10:20 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops-Thompson School District is seeking feedback on a series proposed catchment changes connected to the new $65-million Sníne Elementary School in Pineview Valley.

SD73 Director of Facilities Art McDonald says the proposed catchment area changes affect both elementary and secondary schools in southwest Kamloops.

“It slightly reduces the overcapacity issue at Aberdeen Elementary, it significantly reduces the overcapacity issues at Dufferin Elementary and McGowan Park Elementary, and it reduces the overcapacity issue at Summit Elementary,” McDonald said during a recent webinar for parents at elementary schools that will be affected by the changes.

“It increases the currently significant overcapacity issue at Sa-Hali Secondary and it increases enrolment at Sníne Elementary to where Sníne Elementary will be overcrowded in several years.”

McDonald said based on these projections, the 453-seat Sníne elementary is expected to open at 66 per cent capacity.

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“It is difficult to add portables to the site due to the topography,” he added, of the location for Sníne elementary near Python Lake. “It’s a triangle shaped side at the side of a hill so we won’t have a lot of room to add portables in the future.”

Projected enrolment at affected schools if no changes are made to existing catchment areas. (Image Credit: SD73)

Projected enrolment at affected schools based on changes being proposed to existing catchment areas. (Image Credit: SD73)

McDonald said an alterate catchment change – which would relocate the Montessori program from Aberdeen to Sníne Elementary – was also considered. He said while it would reduce capacity issues at Aberdeen, Dufferin, McGowan Park, and Summit Elementary schools, it would increase the initial enrolment at Sníne Elementary to 92 per cent in 2026.

This change would also exacerbate the capacity issues at Sa-Hali Secondary and relocate a program that is “well-grounded” at Aberdeen Elementary.

“The Montessori alternative catchment change will likely not result in the projected enrolment reductions at Aberdeen Elementary because many parents indicated they would have their children remain at Aberdeen Elementary even if the Montessori program were to move,” McDonald said.

Projected enrolment at affected schools if the montessori program is moved from Aberdeen Elementary. (Image Credit: SD73)

A new secondary school at 2390 Pacific Way in Aberdeen is the school district’s top capital priority to ease the pressure on both Sa-Hali and South Kamloops Secondary schools.

SD73 will be hosting a webinar for parents in affected secondary schools on Tuesday, Dec. 10 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m..

At the webinar for elementary school parents, SD73 Superintendent Rhonda Nixon said the school district will follow up with staff and parents at all of the affected schools between January and March of next year.

“We respond to the feedback and that means that you have the potential to change what we originally put forward and that is really important but we do not claim to empower you because we do have elected officials making the final decision,” Nixon said.

“We make a recommendation to the very best of our ability by involving you.”

The SD73 Board of Trustees is expected to make a decision on catchment area changes by June 2025, with Snine Elementary scheduled to open in the Fall of 2026.

“We will send communication to each family impacted, to all staff and parents in the district, and provide updates on our website, Nixon added.

You can find more details about the proposed catchment area changes, including a number of maps, here.