Recommendations from the last three months of school facility meetings will be presented tonight.
A draft report, using feedback from the public and staff on whether to reconfigure, amalgamate, or close some local schools, will be presented to the school trustees by superintendent Rollie Koop tonight in The Forum at the Parksville Civic and Technology Centre at 7 p.m.
A final facility review will be presented Jan. 28 at the same place and time, at which time trustees will vote on whether to act on the recommendations.
If they vote in favour of the recommendations, a 90-day public consultation period will commence.
The review is being done to assist the local school board in dealing with a $3.4 million budget deficit over the next five years, a substantial underutilization of district schools, and a declining enrolment that isn't expected to reverse for at least 10 years.
On Wednesday, people calling themselves Supporters of Qualicum Beach Elementary School (QBES) were stationed in front of Qualicum Foods, asking people to answer this question in writing and deliver their responses to the school:
"Did you know that School District 69 is proposing to close QBES, in the heart of our town? We believe doing this would negatively affect the students, families, businesses and organizations of this community. We would like to hear from you." — NEWS Staff