While the Kamloops Thompson School Board mulls whether or not to reopen Westsyde Elementary to ease pressures, there are other hard conversations coming.

Board Chair Kathleen Karpuk says looming in the not too distant future will be a conversation for the Board about whether or not to reopen Ralph Bell Elementary.

Karpuk says there is a lot of pressure on Juniper Ridge Elementary and reopening Ralph Bell could ease those pressures but it also comes with challenges.

“One of which is a catchment change and splitting up the kids in Juniper Ridge,” she said. “It’s looking at what happens at all of the childcare and daycare that’s happening currently in Ralph Bell.”

“That school is full of childcare spaces. Its going to have a horrendous impact on parents and families.”

She says another area under pressure is Sun Peaks, which is badly in need of a new school.

“The school that’s up there is just portables,” Karpuk added. “They need a brick and mortar school up there.”

Karpuk adds Sun Peaks is one of the fastest growing small communities in BC, if not the fastest.