Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes at this morning’s announcement – photo submitted

Quesnel, B.C. – The provincial government has announced funding to keep two rural schools open in the Quesnel School District.

Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes announced that Parkland Elementary and Kersley Elementary will receive $248,802 and $282,090 respectively through the new Rural Education Enhancement Fund this morning.

“I’m delighted to have been able to obtain funding that will ensure the continued operation of Parkland Elementary and Kersley Elementary, so they can benefit our community for years to come,” said Oakes.

Both schools have been slated for closure by the Quesnel School Board due to a budget shortfall of $1 million the Board has been grappling with.

In light of the announced funding, the Board has called an emergency meeting for 3:00 p.m. today to announce whether or not the funding will be enough to keep both schools open this coming September.

When the Rural Education Enhancement Fund was announced earlier this month, Board Chair Tony Goulet told 250News that the Board would apply for funding though he wasn’t sure if it would be enough.

“We’re just applying for the money because we don’t know what the money is going to be,” he said. “If it’s going to be long-term, one-term, or however long the funding is going to be and so we’re really going to need to look at it to see what’s possible and feasible.”