Ecole Kiti K'Shan Closing - School moving to Ecole Mountainview for 2010/2011 school year

As per the CMSD# 82 Website

At the Public School Board Meeting of Wednesday, March 17th, the Coast Mountains Board of Education passed by-laws closing South Hazelton School, L’Ecole Kiti K’Shan, and reconfiguring Suwilaawks Community School by closing the E.T. Kenney building on that site effective this coming June 30th, 2010.

Starting in September 2010, the children that currently attend South Hazelton Elementary will be attending New Hazelton Elementary or John Field Elementary Schools; the K-3 students who attend classes in the E.T. Kenney building of Suwilaawks Community

School will joining the Grades 4 – 7 students in the Clarence Michiel building on the same site.


During the same meeting, the Board of Education voted to open Mountainview Elementary School to accommodate the students that currently attend L’Ecole Kiti K’Shan.

Like many districts in the province, the Coast Mountains Board of Education continues to deal with increasing cost pressures against our budgets during a time of declining enrolments and economic uncertainty. Over the past few months, the Board has given careful consideration to how we can continue to maintain and balance our standards of facility services to students with our overall educational program effectiveness.

The notices of possible school closure given on South Hazelton Elementary, the notice of possible school reconfiguration on Suwilaawks Community School, and the relocation of the French Immersion School of Kiti K’Shan to Mountainview School were put forward following a thorough review and discussion of the space available in all school buildings in our various communities. Following the receipt of information from District Staff, and public consultation, the Board has determined that it is financially advantageous to relocate students to neighbouring schools or buildings, while being able to maintain levels of programs and services to students. The relocation of students to neighbouring schools will, in fact, create significant cost savings to the school district in the long term.

While these closures and reorganization of facilities will mean significant change within our district, the Board feels that these changes must be made to maintain overall program diversity and opportunity, and will help us to maximize educational services for students.

District Staff are preparing specific implementation plans for these changes. They, along with trustee representatives, will meet with all Partners over the next few days and weeks to ensure that plans effect these changes in a way that will ensure everyone’s best interests and concerns are considered and addressed. District Staff and School Administrators will ensure that all Partners are kept informed regarding the progress of these plans in a timely fashion.

The Board of Education recognizes that school closures and reconfigurations mean significant change for students, parents, and staff. However, making more efficient use of our facilities will help us maintain educational programs and services for students across the district … and the education of students continues to be our primary goal.