The Kamloops School Board has cleared the way for the re-opening of Westsyde Elementary in time for the next school year.

The board voted unanimously on three motions to adjust the catchment to funnel students to Westsyde, approve over a million dollars to renovate it, and try to ensure current grade six students at David Thompson graduate together.

“I think you got to plan your staffing,” said Trustee John O’Fee, after the meeting. “We know how many students are in David Thompson going into Grade 7 in Sept. It’s not a huge mystery.”

“Obviously, there’ll be a little bit of inflow and outflow, and we need to canvas the parents and who wants their child to attend Grade 7 at Westsyde versus David Thompson to finish off the year there, and then we can staff accordingly.”

Trustee Cara McKelvey was asked how the district will deal with parents concerns and questions.

“I think the communication between the two groups has been effective to this point,” she noted. “I believe it will continue to be that way.”

The School Board is also working with the city to address traffic concerns expressed by parents on Westsyde road.