Westmount Elementary students will remain temporarily relocated as repair and remediation work continues following a suspected arson fire that damaged the North Kamloops school in late October.
Superintendent Mike McKay provided an update at the Kamloops Thompson School District’s December 15 Education Committee meeting, highlighting the efforts of staff, parents, and the broader school community in keeping student learning on track.
“We met with the Parent Advisory Council to review how things are going and explore additional support we could provide,” McKay said. “I’m pleased to report and express gratitude to the community and staff — not only at Westmount but also at the three host schools accommodating our students.”
After the October 26 fire, Westmount’s 11 classes were temporarily split among Kay Bingham, Parkcrest, and George Hilliard Elementary schools. The district prioritized keeping grade cohorts together and ensuring students remained with their teachers, while also providing counselling and transportation support for students unfamiliar with school buses.
Repairs and remediation at Westmount are expected to continue into the new year. McKay said a reopening date has not yet been determined. “We’ve learned that over-promising isn’t helpful,” he said. “We will provide updates as soon as possible once contracts are awarded and work is underway.”
The superintendent praised the collaboration between parents, staff, and the broader school community, emphasizing that goodwill and cooperation have been key to maintaining the best possible educational and social environment for students.
During the December 15 meeting, several areas for additional support were identified, and McKay confirmed these measures will be implemented in the near future. “None of this goes as well as it does without people recognizing that everyone is doing their best,” he said.
The Kamloops RCMP continue to investigate the fire as a suspected arson. Meanwhile, the district is working with insurance and remediation teams to ensure Westmount Elementary is safe and ready for students when it reopens.
