The Southeast Kootenay School District is looking into reopening one of their older schools.
SD5 staff are reviewing whether or not its feasible to reopen the Grasmere School.
Board Chair Frank Lento says the two room school house could make life easier for families in the village and avoid unnecessary busing.
“We never formally closed the school, there was just an opportunity for us to bus some students and maybe make things better for their curriculum at Jaffray,” Lento says. “We just want to have a look and see how many people are in the area, so that includes Newgate, the entire Grasmere area.”
Lento says he’s not sure if the numbers are there long-term.
“That’s what we’re going to look at first, have a look at the numbers and then see what the impact is,” Lento says. “We’ve maintained the building, its a two room school and we would upgrade it, get it ship shape again if that’s what is required. First we want to look at the numbers.”
Lento says they are looking into the population in the Grasmere area to determine whether or not opening a school would be sustainable long-term.
The issue will be revisited at a later date.
– Southeast Kootenay School District Board Chair, Frank Lento