SD22 outlines plans to address growth over next decade

May 18, 2022 | 3:00 PM

The Vernon School District has developed a long term draft plan to prepare for the needs to cover enrolment growth over the next 10 years.

District 22’s Long Range Facilities Plan 2022-2031 states there were 8,174 full-time equivalent (FTE) students across the 14 elementary and five secondary schools in the district in 2021. The number of enrolled students rises to 8,400 when students in alternate schools, Continuing Education and VLearn are included.

The Greater Vernon area is expected to see population grow 10 per cent over the next 10 years, which will also lead to an increase in enrolment.

The report says the district is expected to see overall enrolment rise to 8,705 by 2031. There will be a decrease of 214 at the elementary level, but that will be offset by an increase of 524 at the secondary level.

The school district’s capacity utilization was reportedly found to be 92.5 per cent in 2021, and with the projected growth, it’s expected to reach 95.8 per cent in 2026 and 95.9 per cent in 2031.

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Though the overall capacity will still be below 100 per cent, the school district believes there will be a need for surplus space to address imbalances and shortfalls.

The report presents several options to mitigate imbalances of shortfall and surplus spaces in school.

It’s suggested that portables be installed at schools where there is a shortage of space, including at Kalamalka Secondary in 2026, if necessary.

At the Charles Bloom family of schools in Lumby, it’s suggested that portables be established at J.W. Inglis, that Charles Bloom Secondary be reconfigured to create a middle school component, and to relocate the Grade 6 classes from J.W. Inglis to Charles Bloom.

At the Clarence Fulton family of schools, the report proposes re-purposing the surplus spaces at Clarence Fulton Secondary for a Neighbouring Learning Centre and to relocate the VLearn from a leased spaced to the school.

At the W.L. Seaton family of schools, it’s suggested that early French Immersion (EFI) programs be moved from Alexis Park and Harwood elementaries to BX Elementary in the Vernon family; that the Fulton and Seaton school families’ catchment areas be reviewed to determine if Alexis Park can be relocated from the Seaton to the Fulton family; and re-assess space shortfall for when Okanagan Indian Band K-12 school is complete.

For the Vernon family of schools, it’s advised that the in-catchment attendance restrictions at BX Elementary be removed to allow cross-boundary attendance from Hillview Elementary; that minor adjustments be made to the catchment boundaries between BX, Harwood and Hillview elementaries; and that the enrolment at the Vernon family of schools be monitored to determine the extent of the shortfall.

Additional recommendations in the report include reviewing the feasibility of adding classrooms at W.L Seaton; reviewing programs including French Immersion, Montessori and the academies to determine optimal locations at schools; setting a goal to improve the average condition of the facilities; and consider relocating the Open Door Alternate School currently in leased space as part of an upgrade and expansion of Dorothy Alexander Centre or replacement at a school-district owned site, of which there are six currently undeveloped.

Other longer term recommendations in the report involve disposing vacant lands that are too small or not suitable for educational purposes; instituting a School Site Acquisition Charge with municipalities to collect a development charge for new housing in anticipated growth areas; and working in close coordination with the planning departments in Vernon, Coldstream and the Regional District of North Okanagan.

The report notes that if these recommendations are followed, then the capital plan applications for additions to Alexis Park, Silver Star and Hillview schools may no longer be necessary.

The report will be presented to SD22’s board of trustees for consideration at the meeting on Wednesday, May 18.

by Liam Verster

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