They have decided that to clear up this deficit they are going to close six schools and enforce the Ministry of Education 's walking policy. W e feel this is a stop-gap remedy and while it may bail out the board for now, it does not address the main issue which is inadequate funding from the Ministry of Education. W e are funded using the same basic formula as schools in the Lower Mainland where temperature, road conditions, and distances are much different than our reality here in the Cariboo-Chilcotin or any other rural areas in the north. Lower Mainland parents have fought and fought to eliminate the portables due to their unhealthy conditions and now our Board thinks it is perfectly acceptable to put our children into them. S chool closures effect all the aspects of community life.
Many rural school evolve into community centres.
Computer courses would be available to everyone within our area and students included. A nother aspect to consider with the closure of schools is the economic impact on the surrounding area. Property values are seriously impacted by the lose of a school. Most families look at the availability of schools and busing prior to even considering the viewing of a property. If their children are going to have to travel one to one and a half hours one way to school, as some of our children will, people will not purchase the home.