The Sea to Sky school board is still trying to address the overcrowding of certain schools and underpopulation of others, but they've decided not to adopt a controversial proposal to force students to attend the school within their boundaries.
The issue has led to four emotionally charged public meetings since the spring, and this week the Sea to Sky school board voted to support two options other than boundary enforcement.
Members discussed the narrowed list of options at the school board meeting Wednesday (Sept. 15).
"The board had some definitive reasons for each option they removed," said chair Rick Price, "and the board was very reluctant to choose any options that enforce boundaries."
Parents are invited to provide feedback during a public meeting at Howe Sound Secondary on Oct. 18, or submit written feedback until Oct. 29. The board intends to make its decision Dec. 8, 2010.
The solutions would see Stawamus Elementary would become attractive to students by making it a "school of choice" or adding a "program of choice," such as an aboriginal cultural school, science and technology school, fine and performing arts school or outdoor adventure school or introducing a program of choice such as international baccalaureate, outdoor adventure or early French immersion.
And the French Immersion program may move either in whole or in part to Squamish Elementary and/or Garibaldi Highlands Elementary.
Teachers and parents have expressed concern about the loss of multilingual awareness at Mamquam and less interest overall if the program is divided between two schools.
"We do realize the implications of splitting up the French Immersion program," said Price. "The issue of sharing resources, such as French library books and French guest speakers, is obviously a downside.
"Unfortunately, there are no options without downsides."
The popular option of adjusting the catchment area of Stawamus to include Furry Creek, Britannia Beach and the Stawamus Reserve was axed because it would enforce boundaries and didn't make much of a difference.
"It didn't have a large enough effect to make a difference," said secretary-treasurer John Hetherington. "It's only about 12 kids."
Price said it's a province wide concept to allow children to choose which school they go to as long as there's room, therefore encouraging schools to attract students rather than forcing the kids to go somewhere they don't want to go.
Price said the board was confident with their decisions, but written and verbal feedback couldn't bring back some of those other options.
"Were the board to receive particularly persuasive information, we could always reconsider."
