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EDITORIAL: Enderby process requires respect

Emotions are expected but parents must work with the school district about restructuring
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Trustee Mike McKay speaks to Enderby parents Tuesday about school restructuring. (Richard Rolke/Morning Star)

The emotion wasn’t a surprise as Enderby parents debated possible school restructuring with the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District Tuesday.

After all, the prospect of Grade 6 or 7 students being moved from M.V. Beattie Elementary to A.L. Fortune Secondary generates a fair amount of questions as well as anxiety. Where would their classes be at ALF and will they be mixing with Grade 12 students? Are they being moved too early from a safe environment they have known for years?

But while the emotions were understandable, it’s unfortunate that some in the crowd clung to conspiracy theories and particularly that the school district has already decided how to handle overcrowding at Beattie or that special trustee Mike McKay doesn’t care about the children because he doesn’t have kids in the system or doesn’t live in Enderby.

If anything, McKay has gone out of his way to communicate after being appointed last year to replace the previous school board, which was fired by the government.

McKay was very clear Tuesday that no decision has been made about restructuring, and that options other than moving Grade 6 and 7 students to ALF, could be considered.

McKay will meet parents again April 24 prior to making a final decision in May.

All Enderby residents are encouraged to take part in the process with McKay in a respectful and constructive manner.