Bylaw Passed at Special Meeting

A Lease of Property Bylaw No. 1-2024 was approved during a Special Meeting of the School District No. 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap) Board of Education on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

The lease for the property where the Storefront School Program operated out of the Downtown Activity Centre (DAC) located in the former Salmon Arm Elementary School located directly north of the District Education Support Centre (DESC) expired at the end of June 2024. Negotiations with the current landlord of that building were unsuccessful; therefore, administration investigated other options and have determined that the property at 2960 Okanagan Avenue East, Salmon Arm, British Columbia (Unit 110) is suitable to operate the program.

Trustees thoroughly discussed the lease proposal before giving the bylaw three readings and final approval. The new location is a nice open space which includes a kitchen and a collapsible wall which will provide the option of creating two classrooms for the anticipated 60 to 70 students. The relocation of the program was anticipated in advance; therefore, moving costs and leasehold improvements have been allocated in the budget.

An Alternate Education review will occur during the 2024-25 school year. The results of the review will determine the needs required holistically across the District and will contribute to the planning involved with reconfiguration.

The Board expressed their appreciation to staff for their work in securing the location and thanked the staff at Storefront School for dedicating their time to packing and preparing for the move.

With the approval of the Lease of Property Bylaw No. 1-2024, the administration will continue to finalize the lease agreement and staff will ensure that the new location is ready for students in September.

Storefront School staff and families will receive further details prior to school start-up.