Cowichan Valley School District Board of Education Votes on North Zone Long-Range Plan

 

 COWICHAN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTES ON
NORTH ZONE LONG-RANGE PLAN

Tonight, at a Special Board Meeting, the Cowichan Valley
School District Board of Education voted on the North Zone Long-Range Facilities Plan.

After detailed consultation with the community, the board has voted to relocate the Grade 7
program from Chemainus and Crofton Elementary schools to Chemainus Secondary
beginning in 2019/2020 and the grade 6 program from both schools, when an additional
portable is required at either school.

Over the last month, three separate meetings have taken place in Chemainus and Crofton to
discuss the North Zone Long-Range Facilities Plan. Parents, students, and concerned
citizens, have engaged with the Board of Education over these conversations and brought
forward a number of suggestions and concerns, narrowing the decision down to four possible
solutions. Tonight, the board chose the option they feel will best serve our current students, and
facilitate the rapidly growing communities of Chemainus and Crofton.

“We feel that this decision strikes the best balance for our learners, parents, and staff
throughout the North Zone and the rest of the district. As a district, we are committed to
ensuring the best education supports for student success for all of our learners,” said Board
of Education Chair Candace Spilsbury. “We are very appreciative of all of the information
parents shared with us, and that feedback was definitely a part of our decision making.”

There’s still lots of work to do, and our administrators and educators at Chemainus
Elementary, Crofton Elementary, and Chemainus Secondary will be hard at work with staff,
students, and parents to ensure this long-range plan is a success. Further information on
opportunities designed to give students and parents the ability to provide feedback on what
things the district can do to ensure success for our learners will be sent out in the coming
weeks.

The North Zone Long-Range Facilities Plan Community Conversation is the first of three
conversations that the board is hoping to facilitate within the next year. The board is already
exploring a South Zone Conversation. Information on that conversation will be out as soon
as possible.