Giscome Elementary Closure Not A Certainty
By 250 News
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 08:31 PM
Prince George, B.C. - The School District 57 Board of Trustees welcomed a packed house this evening for its special meeting about the future of Giscome Elementary School. The good news is, the school’s closure is not a done deal.
Officially opened in 1957, the school is currently home to 28 students and has a part time principal who is on site once a week.
The school is to be considered for closure because of a variety of issues from septic problems to mould and wood rot. There is no fire suppression system, the septic system has issues with one engineer’s report saying the “destination of the effluent is sketchy ”.
Caroline Olson, head of the School’s Parent Advisory Committee, started off the presentation to the Board, saying bussing children for up to four hours a day is not acceptable “You would not expect Prince George children to be bused to Quesnel and back every day, but that is the equivalent of what you are suggesting we do.” The challenges facing the school are the result of years of lack of maintenance says Olson, and parents and families should have an opportunity to explore other options.
Olson told the Board the parents only had two days heading into the long weekend to react to the news, and they would like a 3-5 year moratorium on the closure plans to develop alternatives.
Olson says there are already children aged 5-9 who are spending 20-40 minutes each morning to get to Giscome and to expect them to be on the bus longer than that is unacceptable.
Regional District Director Kevin Dunphy was on hand to share the news the Regional District has concerns about the school being closed and requests a 3-5 year moratorium on closing the school to examine other options. He will be asking the Regional District of Fraser Fort George this week to resurrect the rural schools task force to look at ways to save the two room school.
Board Chair Lyn Hall, nodded in agreement as one after another, speakers rose to tell their story about being a student, a parent, a teacher and why this school is so important to their family, their community and their future.
“The buses are cold in the winter, hot in the summer and bumpy all the time” said Denise MacDonald “Home schooling is unreasonable to expect because of our lack of communications” says MacDonald, who adds the area does not have internet service and even dial up phone service is sporadic.
The Board passed three recommendations
1. That staff be directed to investigate alternatives for students for the 2009/2010 school year.
Trustee Lois Boone says she would like to see the Ministry of Education staff come to Giscome and take that bus ride, and experience it first hand. Boone reminded those in attendance the reason for the closure discussion is not because of a lack of funding, rather because of health concerns, “We need to ensure that school is safe for everybody.”
2. That staff be directed to conduct a more detailed review of Giscome School’s building envelope.
Trustee Valentine Crawford says he supports this recommendation so it clarifies if there is any health issue with the building envelope. There is concern that some panels may be removed to reveal mould as Engineer Simon Yu’s report says given the amount of humidity in the school, the building is “on a fast track to rotting.” The major concern is with the structural integrity of roof supports. “I want to know the roof is safe, for the safety of the children and the community” says Trustee Trish Bella.
3. That the Board bring forward to its May regular board meeting (May 26th) a motion to consider closing Giscome Elementary for the 2009/2010 school year while the District pursues options for repair or replacement of this facility
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Posted by: DPJ on April 15 2009 1:37 AM
All that remains are the concrete remenants, few homes, and a school.
Well, its been thirty five years since the sawmill was shut down. I think its time for all of to say good bye to the old girl.
Time to say hello to the new girl in Willow River.