Cariboo
Connector
Cariboo
Consignment & Crafts
BIG SALE ON NOW!
Vol. 7 No. 15
• free distributioN throughout the south Cariboo • JaNuarY 25, 2013
See page 12 inside
literacy ladies OPEN: MON. – SAT. 10AM-4PM
in Downtown Lone Butte, Hwy 24 250-395-1010
96 Hwy 97
100 MILE REALTY INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED
(Beside Tim Hortons)
100 Mile House, BC
250-395-3424 1-800-663-8426 bo o
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Website: www.100milerealty.com
Arlene Jongbloets photo
Reach A Reader Day, Jan. 23, had volunteers Pat Oldershaw, left, Amy Rochon and Sharon Bozzard at Cariboo Mall promoting literacy and selling newspapers by donation to raise money for new books for the Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy (CCPL) Bright Red Bookshelf program. CCPL provides more than 250 free books each month to children living in the South Cariboo.
School trustees verdict: close some schools Budget cuts cause closure of Buffalo Creek and 100 Mile Junior
carole rooney Free Press
Mon. - Thurs.: 9am - 5:30pm Fri.: 9am - 7pm Sat.: 9am - 5:30pm Sun.: 11am - 4pm
Your Community Drugstore ®
CARIBOO MALL 250-395-2921
Buf falo Creek Elementary and 100 Mile Junior Secondary schools will be closed at the end of the school year, despite some significant community opposition. School District #27 trustees made their decision on school closures and reconfigurations at a Jan. 22 board meeting, after about four months of public feedback on their Initial Options Report (IOR).
Inventory
Clearout
EVERY ITEM IN EVERY DEPARTMENT
Other decisions include reconfiguring Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO) to grades 8-12, rather than grades 9-12 as proposed in the IOR, which would have resulted in all South End elementary schools going to kindergarten-Grade 8. Trustees had indicated they might move in that direction at a Jan. 8 board meeting at PSO, citing many parents and students polled preferred to have Grade 8 classes held on the secondary campus, as
opposed to in an elementary school environment. Board chair Will Van Osch says that under declining enrolment and dwindling budgets, the board has made these “very difficult” decisions. “I can understand the angst that people are feeling ... I’m sure there is quite a bit of sadness around the school closures.” He explains the trustees “listened intently” to the public and their decisions were “not made lightly,” and notes no single option
exists that would please everyone. “Nobody on the board wants to see school closures, but we are left with very few other options. “While I realize it is going to create some hardship for some students, I think what we have done is the best and the least disruptive for our students. I think we’re doing the right thing in the end.” Van Osch says the board adopted the IOR with amendments as its
comprehensive longterm plan, and the related bylaws are scheduled for formal adoption at its Jan. 29 meeting. The chair adds he is “quite glad” a motion made at the meeting to begin the 90-day public process to consider closing Lac la Hache Elementary School did not succeed. The approved changes will be implemented by the start of the 2013/14 school year. For more information, visit the website at www.sd27.bc.ca.
LAST WEEK FOR HUGE SAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE STORE Hurry in! Sale ends January 31st
REDUCED! MARKED DOWN! ON SALE!
Pinkney Complex #2 - 536 Horse Lake Rd., 100 Mile House 250-395-6070 • 1-888-311-8122 HOURS: Mon. - Sat. 9:30am - 5:30pm
Check out our website: www.brandsourcefamily.ca