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High turnout expected to hear Nanaimo school district plan

NANAIMO – Consultant reveals recommendations for school district facilities plan at a public meeting tonight (April 11).

A “far-reaching” report outlining recommendations from a consultant on what should be included in Nanaimo school district’s 10-year facilities plan will be revealed during a public board meeting tonight (April 11).

In January, the district hired Doug Player, a former superintendent of the West Vancouver School District, to help develop a facilities plan after the board approved a strategic plan for the district.

The strategic plan consists of three goals – meet each student’s needs; continuous improvement of instruction and assessment; and enhanced facilities for learning. The final goal requires development of a 10-year facilities plan by April that takes into account optimal school sizes at the elementary level of 200-400 students and at the secondary level of 600-1,000 students.

Starting at 6 p.m. in the gym at Nanaimo District Secondary School, the public will have a chance to hear Player’s recommendations on the facilities plan.

Jamie Brennan, school board chairman, expects a large turnout at the meeting.

“I think the word is out that this is fairly comprehensive and it’s going to affect a lot of areas in the district,” he said. “His report is quite far-reaching. What we’re being faced with is quite an ambitious undertaking by the district affecting a number of programs and schools.”

Player’s recommendations are not binding and any school closure proposal requires a 60-day public consultation process, said Brennan.