SD 59 seeks public's thoughts on lack of enrollment; Downsizing imminent as classroom sizes continue to dwindle
Dawson Creek Daily News
January 12, 2009
By: Andrew Bergland

School District 59 is looking for public input on how to deal with continuing decline in its enrolment numbers.

…. "We're at a point in time where we've got to downsize," said Rob Dennis. "We cannot afford to keep going the way we are."

The number of students enrolled in SD 59 has experienced its greatest decline over the past five years and is projected to continue to decline. From 2007 to 2008 the district population dropped by 227 students to 4,279 ….

While extra classroom space may not seem like a detractor to a child's education, Dennis explained that the current funding formula, dictated by the Ministry of Education, makes it impossible to sustain an under-populated school.

"It's the kids coming in the building that pay our bills, and if we don't get things down to a size where we're not paying for the extras how are we going to afford education," Dennis asked.

The district is already at a point where the budget is strained and they are unable to operate without assistance from the provincial government, he added….

Sawchuk and Dennis are very adamant about the fact they have no current plan to close active schools in order to make up for the declining enrolment….

SD 59'S LIST OF ITEMS….

- Explore the Neighbourhood Learning centre approach

- Continue to look for ways to incorporate early learning

- Explore approaches that address access and equity throughout communities

- Explore further community and corporate partnerships