The Langley School District has begun its community consultation process regarding proposed catchment changes for elementary schools on the Willoughby slope. The District is planning six community meetings on:
• Thursday, April 7 for the RC Garnett and Langley Meadows communities at RC Garnett Elementary (7096 201st Street) with the first meeting at 1 p.m. and the second at 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, April 11 for the Richard Bulpitt and Lynn Fripps communities at Richard Bulpitt Elementary (20965 77A Avenue) with the first meeting at 1 p.m. and the second at 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 13 for the Willoughby, Yorkson Creek and RE Mountain communities at Willoughby Elementary (20766 80th Avenue) with the first meeting at 1 p.m. and the second at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting content will be the same at each meeting regardless of location and that families are welcome to attend any of the meetings.
The biggest change is in the catchment area for Richard Bulpitt, which reduces dramatically in size to encompass 208 Street on the west, 80 Avenue on the north, 216 Street on the east and 74B Avenue on the south.
Lynn Fripps and Willoughby Elementary will accommodate the areas previously in the Richard Bulpitt catchment. R.C. Garnett will also grow in size, and Langley Meadows will decrease.
These changes will put enrolment numbers for Langley Meadows, Lynn Fripps and RC Garnett in the mid 400s for the next 10 years, while removing pressure in other areas. There is also a proposal to potentially use the six classrooms and portable space at James Anderson Learning Centre at 20381 66 Ave. as an annex for RC Garnett for three years.
Ultimately, the board is hoping for approval from the provincial government to purchase additional land for a new elementary school in north Willoughby.
See maps here