A push to save Richmond’s least populated school is gaining momentum after parents of Burkeville’s Sea Island elementary raised concerns that its days may be numbered.
Burkevillian Lisa Smedman, a mother of a Grade 2 student, had 48 households sign a letter submitted to the Richmond School Board on Monday that outlines why the school should remain open and how its space can be better utilized.
Smedman said although the school only has 30 students, from Kindergarten to Grade 3, and meets many requirements for closure, the neighbourhood depends on it as a community hub — something the board needs to consider.
“We’re trying to preserve the school in some way shape or form. The concern of the parents and people of Burkeville is that the school is the heart of our community. It’s the place that we use for community events and it’s the glue that binds us together,” said Smedman.
The Richmond School District is facing declining enrollment for the upcoming school year in September. In order to qualify for already delayed seismic upgrades for several schools, it must close those schools that are under-utilized and/or costly to operate, as the Ministry of Education will not perform upgrades on schools that are at 95 per cent capacity.
In order to close a school the district has a number of conditions that it has outlined, to qualify any particular decision. Most importantly, neighbouring schools must be able to accommodate new students from a closed school. Furthermore, the district considers the projected enrolment at a school, operating costs and the need for seismic and facility upgrades.
Smedman concedes Sea Island is well under capacity (81 per cent below its capacity of 195 students), however it is also used for a number of non-school uses, such as the continuing education program, district workshops, CUPE office space and community events.
Smedman wants the board to consider upping the ante on outside agency use, such as a daycare. Parents have also suggested creating a Grade 4-7 split class, adding ESL students, a Montessori class and a special needs class.
“We recognize the district has a tough decision. So what were trying to do is be proactive,” said Smedman.
Although she said she is not advocating for other schools to close, Smedman points out that Sea Island’s operating costs per student, above the district average, are only seventh worse in the district.
By introducing more programs to the school, those operating costs could go down, she said.
As for the school’s high seismic risk, Smedman estimated for the cost of upgrading the existing building a new, small school could be built. Or, the district could partner with the City of Richmond to build a hybrid school and community centre facility.
Smedman said she wants the board to clearly lay out the criteria for closing a school.
“In terms of spelling out the criteria, are they looking at it accurately?” she asked.
“I know a lot of people will say ‘there aren’t many students, let’s just move them,’ but it’s bigger than that in terms of the impact of the community,” said Smedman.
The fact that Sea Island is separated by the Fraser River is also something that requires consideration, she said.
A report to the board on Monday indicates a full list of options for recommended closures will be presented to the board, at a public meeting on April 4. The options will then be presented to the public in a series of four open houses in May. District staff will review public feedback and finalize its recommended list of closures by September. In October, the board will decide what schools to close by June 30, 2017.
Board chair Debbie Tablotney spoke to Richmond city councillors last month, updating them on the closure situation. She said as many as five schools could close.
It remains unclear how a potential push to further densify arterial roads, or even single-family neighbourhoods, could impact projected enrollment.
Sea Island’s board liaison Sandra Nixon said “everything is on the table,” when asked if it was a possibility to bus students from City Centre developments to Sea Island.
Richmond schools rated ‘High 1’ for seismic risk by Ministry of Education Seismic Mitigation Program report, October, 2015 (note that this does not indicate potential closures, although a ‘High 1’ rating is one prerequisite):
Bridge
Blundell
Boyd
Cook
Grauer
Lee
Maple Lane
Quilchena
Steves
Sea Island
Thompson
Woodward
Whiteside
