North Vancouver to close two schools

The North Vancouver School District will close two schools in an effort to balance a $6 million budget shortfall, the board decided on Tuesday night.

Plymouth Elementary is set to close at the end of June. Blueridge Elementary will close its doors in 2013. Each closure will save the district about $400,000 per year.

The board also decided to change how alternative schooling is offered, by amalgamating five existing programs into one, as a cost cutting measure.

Board chair Susan Skinner blamed the provincial government for the closures and changes.

"Chronic under-funding has lead to the decision taken here this evening," said Skinner.

But Skinner also said declining enrollment is also one of the reasons why North Vancouver needs to close schools.

"The two schools tonight were because of what you heard this evening, serious declining enrollment in North Vancouver, a funding formula that does not support paying for facilities and under funding by the provincial government," said Skinner.

There are 1,900 vacant spots for students at other schools in the district, so redistributing the student population more evenly gives the district more financial flexibility, said officials.

A third elementary school, Fromme Elementary, could also face closure as a way to save money, but the board deferred its decision on its fate until the next meeting.