Vancouver schools will stay open during the 2010 Winter Games, the school board decided last night.
The Vancouver School Board debated four options — to close high schools, to close schools that will be “significantly impacted” by the Games, moving spring break from March to
February, or maintaining the status quo.
Mike Lombardi, chairperson of the board, said trustees consulted teachers, parents and students, and researched how school districts in other Olympic cities handled the school calendar during the two-week event.
“The Games are going to come once … but we feel schools should remain open,” Lombardi said.
“I’m sure lots of teachers will bring the Olympics into the classroom and for parents (who want to go to events), they’ll pull their kids out of class.”
School trustee Jane Bouey said there’s no educational value in closing the schools.
“Nothing else is closing (during the Games),” she said. “Why would we ever consider closing down such a vital part of our community?”
Only Ken Denike opposed the motion, arguing that closing high schools would help ease some of the
anticipated transportation and security issues.
