A consultation process for the closing South Surrey White Rock Learning Centre is underway, although the results will not impact the district's decision to close the school.
The South Surrey White Rock Learning Centre's closure continues to be top of mind for students and the wider community — and, as a result, the school district as well. The centre will be shutting down at the end of this school year because the school district can no longer afford the lease of the building.
"The board heard the members of the community feel a greater need to express their perspectives to the board," chair Gary Tymoschuk said at the regular March 12 board meeting.
At the regular February school board meeting, a delegation of former learning centre students called into question the board's handling of the centre's closure. Before a school closure can take place, the school board must first announce the potential for the closure at a public board meeting, then hold public consultations and then make the final decision, which is also announced at a public board meeting, according to Surrey Schools policy 6801.1.
The district bypassed all of these steps and instead announced the school's closure and the alternatives to the school community in a letter home.
Stating no policy was broken, Surrey Schools and Education Minister Lisa Beare both framed the closing of South Surrey White Rock Learning Centre as a "relocation" of a program rather than a school closure, even though learning centres are listed as schools on the district's website.
With the lease's $300 increase per month, which the landlord offered to lock down for five years, former students offered their own money to cover the difference in cost, which the district did not accept. Beginning next year, continuing students from the learning centre will have to return to mainstream schools to attend an alternate program which has been running in the district for many years, called HOPE (Helping Others and Providing Education).
HOPE programs are designated classrooms inside mainstream schools that are smaller classes for students who need more learning support than the traditional classrooms provide, with the exception of the one at Earl Marriott Secondary, which will be in a portable. HOPE programs have been running at schools for years, in addition to learning centres, but the district is claiming that they are now one and the same.
Students, parents or guardians and other community members have various options to provide the district with their feedback on South Surrey White Rock Learning Centre closing, including virtual or in-person.
If in-person is preferred, those interested are able to attend the consultation on April 15 at Earl Marriott Secondary from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Those not able to make the in-person meeting are able to submit feedback via email to consultations@surreyschools.ca or visit the school itself to fill out a form available at the office, located at 2320 King George Blvd. or submit through an online survey available on the distrct's website with a deadline of May 12 for all consultation aside from the in-person forum.
