BLACK GARDEN
TAKE DELIVERY BY JUNE 30TH
SAVE 20 $
SOIL
WIN
*
ON YOUR SECOND BAG if ordered and delivered at the same time
Black Garden Soil or Reg Fir Mulch
RXMB0551
Visit BigYellowBag.com and ENTER THE CODE to receive your DISCOUNT and/or WIN a BigYellowBag®
FREE DELIVERY
Within BigYellowBag’s delivery zone
REIMER’S FARM SERVICE
BigYellowBag.com 855-737-0110
Regular $157 • Second Bag $137
kamloopsthisweek.com | kamloopsthisweek |
WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 | Volume 34 No. 19
kamthisweek
#YKASTRONG
Parents have issues with boundary changes SEAN BRADY
STAFF REPORTER
sbrady@kamloopsthisweek.com
CONTRACT CONCERNS, VENDOR QUESTIONS AND DONATIONS TO A RELIGIOUS GROUP KTW’s series of stories in February on spending at the Thompson-Nicola Regional District led to policy changes, an independent third-party fiscal review and an RCMP criminal investigation. In today’s edition of Kamloops This Week, we look at the awarding of a janitorial contract that led to concerns from inside the TNRD and ask why taxpayer funds were used to make donations to a religious organization.
STORIES, PAGES A12-A15
School District 73 has held its final consultation meeting addressing proposed catchment changes for Kamloops schools. At issue are four potential catchment boundary changes and the possible reopening of Ralph Bell elementary in Valleyview to deal with overcrowding. On May 5, catchment changes were discussed regarding Juniper Ridge elementary, Marion Schilling elementary and the re-opening of Ralph Bell, which the district shuttered in 2010, but still owns. Among the concerns voiced by those who will be affected are the division of the Juniper Ridge neighbourhood into two different catchment areas, concerns over criminal activity in the vicinity of the to-bereopened Ralph Bell and the mental health and wellbeing of students.
Currently, Juniper Ridge elementary now catches all students living in Juniper Ridge, and Marion Schilling elementary catches all students in Valleyview and Rose Hill. The proposed catchment area for Ralph Bell elementary would capture all students in Rose Hill, the western end of Juniper Ridge and the western tip of Valleyview. If Ralph Bell is reopened, it would be done in September 2022 and require a one-time capital cost of $759,000 in upgrades. In addition, another $464,000 in annual operating costs is projected to cover the cost of various staffing positions and bussing some former Juniper Ridge elementary students to Ralph Bell. If Ralph Bell were to reopen, catchment area changes would see 129 of the 513 students now at Juniper Ridge being bussed to Ralph Bell. The reopening would also see 82 of the 317
kids now attending Marion Schilling switch to Ralph Bell, some by bus, others walking/being driven to school. Ralph Bell is at 1764 Valleyview Dr., 5.3 kilometres from Juniper Ridge (2540 Qu’Appelle Blvd) and 2.4 kilometres from Marion Schilling (2200 Park Dr.). Parents of school-aged children who spoke at the May 5 meeting were particularly concerned about dividing Juniper Ridge into multiple catchment areas and asked that the district leave the neighbourhood intact. Data presented by district staff shows overcrowding in a number of Kamloops schools that is expected to get worse in the next 10 years. SD73 superintendent Terry Sullivan said making no changes now may ease immediate concerns of people, but, “I don’t think it’s going to satisfy people five years from now.”
It's May Veggie Planting Time! GREAT SELECTION OF TOMATO PLANTS! artknappkamloops.com
OPEN 9 AM - 5:30 PM shopartknappkamloops.com
See OVERCAPACITY, A6
Covid Practices in Effect
1 GALLON PEPPER PLANTS $7.99 EACH OR 2 FOR $10.00
420 Nunavut Way Kamloops, BC Behind Home Hardware & Honda on the Halston
GREAT SELECTION OF FRUIT TREES! PLANT EARLY FOR GREAT SUCCESS!