About 100 adults, seniors and children took to the rainy streets Saturday afternoon to show their support for keeping Qualicum Beach Elementary School open.
The rally and walk around downtown Qualicum Beach was organized by newly-formed Qualicum Beach Community School Steering Committee. "The goal is to show support for the school and help educate people on community schools and what that might look like here," said committee co-chair Anne Skipsey at the rally.
Skipsy told The NEWS earlier that the funding challenges faced by the current Board of Education has presented residents with an opportunity to build a healthier, more inclusive and cohesive school and community.
Skipsy said the steering committee has asked trustees to consider the community school idea at Qualicum Elementary and to give them one year to show them what they can do. In that vein, the committee is currently working on a business plan to present to the Board of Education, she said.
Following the 1.8 km walk, refreshments, activities and entertainment was set to take place.