School district evicts day care from Beairsto Elementary
Vernon Morning Star
RICHARD ROLKE
Mar 18 2007

One of Vernon's largest day cares has been evicted.

The North Okanagan Child Care Society was notified Thursday it must leave Beairsto Elementary School by this September because the space is required for classes.

"We have nowhere to go," said Lynne Reside, executive director.

The society has been in Beairsto's basement for 12 years, and while having to leave was always possible, the Vernon School District's decision still came as a surprise.

"This is like adding insult to injury because there is such a lack of child care space in the community," said Reside.

Currently there are about 120 children in the society's various programs at Beairsto.

The crunch is now on to try and find a large enough space that has suitable facilities.

"It's a huge concern for us and it's stressful for parents," said Reside....

"We've told parents we will have a space even if we have to build brick by brick," said Reside, who questions why French immersion curriculum at Beairsto wasn't moved to other schools instead of displacing the society. School district officials defend their actions. "We see lots of value in day care but there's a waiting list for the actual school. Our mandate is kindergarten to Grade 12," said trustee Mary-Jo O'Keefe.

Reside disagrees with that view.

"They have a mandate for early learning. There is a responsibility to the community to look after the community's kids," she said.

The district will see if there is available space in another school.

"We don't want to toss them out on the street," said Bill Turanski, district chairman.

"I think we can find room for them but I don't know that for sure."

The district recently decided to close West Vernon Elementary at the end of June. That may be a possible solution for the North Okanagan Child Care Society, depending on which district official you talk to....

"We don't want it left vacant so maybe we can get something in there," he said.

But O'Keefe does not consider West Vernon an option.

"The day care will provide revenue of about $6,000 a year and we need $500,000 a year to operate West Vernon. It's not even in the ballpark," she said....

No matter where the society goes, there will likely be rent. It has stayed at Beairsto for free except for covering part of the utilities. Any changes will impact parents.

"Most of our money comes from parents' fees and they have to reflect the cost of operating," said Reside.