The Qualicum School District is considering disposition of the former French Creek Elementary School building.
The Board of Education voted last month to confirm the building will not be required for further educational use.
The decision came after a 60-day public consultation in October and November, which received 34 submissions, according to Ron Amos, secretary-treasurer.
Amos said most of the opinions received were concerned with keeping the building in public hands for community use. The school, located at 2350 Alberni Hwy, was closed in 2014.
“General consensus appears to be to work with another public body,” he said. “And again recognizing that there’s a few out there that could keep it in the hands of the public, should there be an appetite for that.”
Trustee Julie Austin voted against the motion and said she needed more information.
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“I’m rather uncomfortable about unequivocally saying we don’t have any educational use for this,” Austin said. “I’m not sure we really know.”
The board also approved a second motion that seeks approval from the Ministry of Education to proceed with the dispossession.
The vote “doesn’t tie the board’s hands on any decision,” Amos said, adding the minister has 90 days to provide approval.
After those 90 days, Amos said, the board can ask staff to engage in proposals from the community. More decisions will need to be made by the board after ministry approval, he added.
“I’m hopeful this will allow the community to come together and make something happen for that community,” said Trustee Elaine Young.