The Kamloops-Thompson School Board has decided to keep Westwold Elementary open…for now.

Board Chair Kathleen Karpuk says they heard loudly from the community they want the school to remain open.

“Having heard that there are younger kids coming up through the system, we’ve decided to keep Westwold open,” she said. “At least until we’re going to have kids in September.”

“As long as we have a minimum of six children registered and physically in the school, by September, the school will stay open.”

Karpuk says it’s now up to Westwold residents, as if there are not at least six kids in the school every September,  it will be closed.

“What we’re hoping is that we’ll see the school grow,” added Karpuk. “That’s now up to the community.”

They really need to be able to support their school and enroll the kids so that the school stays open.”

Karpuk admitted that such a small number of students is not ideal with challenges around social development and curriculum.