The Kamloops-Thompson School District 73 convened its regular public board meeting on Monday, marking the first official gathering with new Superintendent Mike McKay.
Trustee Rhonda Kershaw opened the meeting by welcoming McKay, who recently returned to Kamloops after several decades away, and Assistant Superintendent Rick Kienlein. McKay shared his enthusiasm about collaborating with staff, the community, and trustees in his new role.
“I’m pleased to be here and look forward to this exciting new chapter,” McKay said briefly.
Superintendent McKay took time to acknowledge the custodial and operations staff who worked through the summer months to prepare schools for the upcoming school year. “While summer is often thought of as holiday time, there are many behind-the-scenes efforts to prepare our schools to welcome students and staff next week,” he remarked. McKay expressed optimism for a positive start to the school year, emphasizing a warm welcome for both returning students and newcomers.
A significant portion of the short 14 minute meeting focused on the disposition of two district-owned properties: Parkcrest Park in Kamloops and the Little Fort Elementary School site. These properties have been the subject of careful planning and consultation for over a year.
According to the report presented by Secretary Treasurer Harold Cull, the Board initially approved the disposition of these properties during an in-camera meeting on August 26, 2024. Following community consultations, the Board approved moving forward with government consultations in November 2024. Recently, the Ministry of Education and Child Care granted approval for the disposition of both sites.
At Monday’s meeting, the Board unanimously agreed to pass bylaws authorizing the sale of the properties, fulfilling legal requirements under the School Act. To expedite the process, the Board unanimously approved reading all three required bylaw readings in one meeting, a motion that requires full consensus.
The Parkcrest Park property, located at 2393 Parkcrest Avenue, Kamloops, is no longer deemed necessary for future educational use by the district. Similarly, the Little Fort property, situated at 216 Highway 24, Little Fort, has also been declared surplus to the district’s educational needs.
Cull explained that since both properties were originally funded by the local school board rather than the Ministry, proceeds from their sale will flow into the district’s local capital account. This means the Board retains the autonomy to invest those funds in future capital projects, such as building new schools, facility upgrades, or acquiring new property.
Trustee John O’fee highlighted the importance of public understanding about how the funds from the sales will be utilized, reinforcing that the money is earmarked strictly for capital projects rather than operational expenses.
With these decisions finalized, the Board looks ahead to welcoming students for the first day of classes next week. Superintendent McKay expressed his eagerness to support staff and students during this exciting time of transition.
