Despite the recent buzz on social media, the Sooke School District will not be opening new schools on the West Shore come September.
That rumour probably got started with the circulation of SD62B次元官网网址檚 capital plan summary that highlights the need for the Royal Bay secondary expansion, a new middle school in the Langford/Colwood area, two new elementary schools in north and south Langford, and the replacement of Millstream elementary.
Some of the confusion may have started with the dates beside these projects, which are all listed as 2017-2018.
But these new and replacement schools will not be opening their doors to students this September, in fact, itB次元官网网址檒l probably take a few years. While there is some pre-emptive work underway, the school district has their hands tied waiting on provincial government approvals and funding B次元官网网址� something thatB次元官网网址檚 been delayed with what has seemed like a never-ending election.
ThereB次元官网网址檚 no arguing that the need is there now, a number of West Shore classrooms are already stretched to the max and with class size limitations coming for the fall, paired with the exponential growth seen on the West Shore, itB次元官网网址檚 no surprise the district has had to come up with some creative ways to accommodate more students and staff.
The district will be looking at converting 32 new spaces into B次元官网网址渃lassroomsB次元官网网址� with about 22 of those coming as portables and 10 other in-school rooms (such as computer labs) being converted. Catchment areas are also being re-examined to see if underutilized schools can accommodate more students.
But it all seems like a temporary fix just to get by and we donB次元官网网址檛 blame the district for that. We know theyB次元官网网址檙e doing the best they can, stretching limited funds to do as much as possible for West Shore children.
ItB次元官网网址檚 time the province took a hard look at the West Shore B次元官网网址� the fastest growing area in the region and one of the fastest in the province B次元官网网址� and hand over the funds needed to make sure no child goes without a quality education.
The district knew Royal Bay secondary would be too small B次元官网网址� and it was over capacity the day it opened B次元官网网址� but the province wouldnB次元官网网址檛 provide the funds needed to build it right the first time. We donB次元官网网址檛 want to see that happen again. ItB次元官网网址檚 time the province starts investing in the West Shore the same way residents have.
