The Richmond School District is putting any plans to start the process of consolidating schools – which can lead to school closures - on hold in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The school district was going to start consulting the public on possible consolidation of schools in the south central area, which includes McNair, McRoberts, Palmer and Steveston-London secondary schools as well as their feeder elementary schools.
Instead the board will focus on its five-year capital plan, finding new child care locations, future seismic projects and overall space planning.
“The board has decided to focus its resources in those areas at this time, particularly given the added complexities that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic,” read a statement from the school district.
Board chair Ken Hamaguchi also made the announcement at Wednesday’s board meeting, which took place via Zoom and was livestreamed.
The Long-Range Facilities Plan talks about school catchment consolidation to “decrease the combined seat surplus” in the south central area by the equivalent of two medium-sized elementary schools. This was anticipated to be done by September 2021.
At the board meeting, Frank Geyer, executive director of planning and development with the school district, said none of the current nine projects have been affected by the pandemic.
“We’re still on track for completing all of our projects by the deadlines that we’ve previously stated,” he said.
But secretary-treasurer Roy Uyeno said the Ministry of Education has put a “pause” on major capital projects and none will be announced in the coming school year.
A few minor capital projects were announced, for example, universally accessible playgrounds will be built at William Bridge and Gilmore elementary schools. Both have a budget of $125,000.
Currently, 20,000 students in Richmond aren’t attending in-person classes. Only 40 students of essential workers are at three elementary schools, but the plan is to possibly have some vulnerable students return next week for in-person instruction.
