THURSDAY
S I N C E
JANUARY 17, 2013
1 8 9 5
Vol. 118, Issue 10
110
$
Minor hockey day back on track Page 9
INCLUDING H.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Rossland residents offer solutions in school debate BY TIMOTHY SCHAFER Times Staff
Alina Stevens has lived her whole life in Rossland. For 12 years she has played and gone to school in the city with the same group of around 40 young people. But on Tuesday night the Grade 7 student was adorned in a yellow T-shirt—I (love) RSS emblazoned across her chest— fighting to let her voice be heard as one of the people most affected by the threat of the closure of her school. It was a public forum leading up to the possible closure of either Rossland Secondary School (RSS) or MacLean Elementary School by School District 20, a cost cutting measure as the board of trustees for SD20 grappled with a $1.75 million funding shortfall over the next three years. But for Stevens and over 500 other Rosslanders who turned up in the RSS gymnasium for the three-and-a-half hour forum hosted by the board, they gave their impassioned views on why the financial savings weren’t worth the human cost of losing a school or grades in the community. “I think RSS is the centre of our community. A lot of the things that happen here contribute a lot to our community,” she said. “I think closing it would be really bad because a lot of things here contribute greatly to everybody.” The district used a structured evening, complete with a facilitator, a view of the financial state of the district and an interactive for-
Airport’s future remains up in the air
not consider the likelihood would be foolish. The options presented by the board on cost savings did not consider the possibilities of people going elsewhere. “Fair enough,” Ganzert replied. “A series of scenarios might be required. Those messages have been received loud and clear.” What was also received loud and clear was a motion passed by Rossland city council one day before the forum. Council voted unanimously to have its staff enter into a conversation and discussion with School District 20 staff, councillor Jill Spearn told the board. “And, as a city, we are prepared to act proactively ... and try and come to some solutions, be it financially, be it whatever that may be with regards to this facility but to keep K to 12 in Rossland,” she said. “I hope the school district is going to take us up on that and we’ll find some answers to what we all know we need to do and that is to keep K GUY BERTRAND PHOTO A crowd of approximately 500 people packed the Rossland Secondary School gym on Tuesday to share to 12.” Ganzert said he had spoken to opinions and suggestions on School District 20’s facilities review. Rossland Mayor Greg Granstrom mat where people were given the At one point in the meeting, is closed. So that’s what you real- before the meeting and indicated opportunity to provide feedback. one man asked people in the gym ly need to focus on is losing that to him there was a very narrow The end of the meeting opened to stand up if they agreed they revenue,” he said. window of opportunity to get a the floor to record input and for would take their kids out of the Another man suggested that deal done. the board to respond, as well as school district if RSS were to 90 per cent of parents would con“The school district is more for people to ask questions. close, and instead home school, sider moving out of the district, than willing to meet ... and it is Many people took issue with move away or put their kids in home schooling or attend other one of our highest priorities,” the fact the board had only pre- school in another district. school districts. he said. sented three options for the After 200 people stood up “The difficult thing is to guess The city and district staff will schools in Rossland and they the man told the board closing what percentage of people will not be meeting in the next few days, all ended in the closure of one RSS would take over $1 million (enrol their children),” said SD20 Ganzert said. facility—with most people taking straight out of their budget. board chair Darrell Ganzert. “If those talks are successparticular exception to the clos“It’s a huge, huge economic It is difficult to put a number ful, the situation will change ure of RSS. cost to the school district if RSS on that, one man agreed, but to See CITY, Page 3 BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Plans for the Trail Regional Airport have once again been sent into a tailspin. Members of the East End Services (EES) were met with an unexpected proposal from the City of Trail at its board meeting Tuesday night. The city presented a letter with an official request to purchase the airport from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB), which certainly put a new twist on
the fate of the airport. In a unanimous vote, the seven members of the East End Services (EES) committee gave the City of Trail the go-ahead to proceed with its proposal. “I think it is a very positive solution for a contentious issue that has been happening for a number of years,” said Kathy Wallace, board member from Rossland. “If the City of Trail is serious about owning and operating it, then I think that’s great,” she added.
“They can proceed in their own direction without having to worry about the rest of us.” Wallace said the vote does show good cooperation amongst the communities that are trying to work together. “Our communities need to hear that we are really trying to work together.” The proposal is in its infancy stage, and before it proceeds, must approach the whole regional district board for further discussion. “We have yet to discuss the
value of the airport, what we purchased it for, and what are we willing to look at in terms of selling it to Trail,” said Larry Gray board chair of the RDKB. “Those in-depth discussions will be held in camera,” he said. “But negotiations around the purchase of the airport will be dealt with and brought out in a public meeting.” The RDKB has received criticism about its tentative approach to expanding the airport. See BUDGET, Page 3
Shy and retiring iSn’t your Style. term deposits
TFSAs
profit sharing
RRSPs
You’re not the kind of person who plans to spend retirement in a rocking chair. We understand people like you. You want the most from life and your investments. Talk to the RRSP experts at Kootenay Savings and hit the beach sooner!
better. together.
kscu.com
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN250-368-8550 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242 Canada Post, Contract number 42068012