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Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Future of Somenos rural school not looking good Schools on notice: Valley’s traditional school of choice facing closure under all three restructuring options being considered Don Bodger
News Leader Pictorial
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Paramedic administers oxygen to a family cat after Monday’s Äre call to an Elliot Street home in Chemainus.
Andrew Leong
FireÄghters rescue cats from single-family home Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
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t least one family cat received oxygen from paramedics Monday after ¿re¿ghters attended reports of smoke coming from a Chemainus home. Felines were helped on scene of the 11:05 a.m. Elliot Street incident, across from Chemainus Sec-
ondary School, a witness said. It was unknown what injuries a cat or cats suffered during the Family Day incident. Chemainus ¿re¿ghters, backed by Crofton’s crew, attended the single-story home after neighbours reported smoke coming from the single-family dwelling. It was unknown by press time if the home sustained any damage. Rob Clark, North Cowichan’s assistant to the ¿re commissioner, was investigating the incident.
larm bells went off for Liz Compton when Somenos Rural Traditional School was left off a list of all elementary schools in the Central zone during last Wednesday’s School District 79 meeting. The co-chair of the school’s parent advisory council almost jumped out of her chair when she noticed the oversight on a slide on the overhead projector. Compton was assured it wasn’t forecasting anything, but then her worst fears were realized. When the three options for recon¿guration being considered by the district were shown, the end result was the same for Somenos Rural Traditional School: closure. “We’re the only school up there in every single option,’’ Compton pointed out during question period at the meeting. “We are not a small school with low enrolment. That is not a true picture of our community.’’ “I will be meeting with the Somenos community,’’ of¿cial trustee Mike McKay said. “I am not going to give quick responses to something so fundamental. “Somenos is on that option list, but that does not mean the closure of
Don Bodger
Liz Compton, vice-chair of the Parent Advisory Council of Somenos Rural Traditional School, challenges School District 79 ofÄcials about the possible fate of the school that’s listed under three different scenarios for closure. Somenos is a given. I will be connecting with the Somenos community so we get to a better place on a foundation by which to build.’’ Compton took some solace from McKay’s comments. “I still have hope,’’ she said a day after the meeting. “Everyone has a different opinion of what’s going on in the district. We’re of value to the district. I always have hope. I have to.’’ Compton admitted she’s concerned and more than a little disappointed at seeing the fate of Somenos hanging in the balance. “All of this is happening without an elected board,’’ she said. “It makes it so
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much harder for us.’’ Compton said a presentation was given Oct. 3 to McKay, highlighting Someonos’ location, size, program, environmental focus, uniforms, the community itself and much more. “It’s just an outline why we believe Somenos Rural Traditional School is an important part of the district,’’ she said. “We never got a response from the district.’’ Perceptions of a small enrolment and the school being run-down are false, Compton said. “Our enrolment has steadily increased.’’ There are 98 kids at the school currently in four divisions. more on page 18