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Not easy to tell right from wrong in French immersion debate

It’s an issue that seems destined to linger at the Kootenay Lake school district offices. And the longer it stays, the frustration is bound to boil over.

It’s an issue that seems destined to linger at the Kootenay Lake school district offices. And the longer it stays, the frustration is bound to boil over.

At last week’s regular school board meeting, the French immersion mess once again grabbed headlines. The conflict between the school board and parents advocating for a third Grade 6 French class at Trafalgar Middle School has not gone away. On Tuesday night emotions flared again.

The school board passed on an independent review and opted instead for a convoluted array of committees in hopes of calming the waters. A small number of tenacious parents continue to be upset. Words were exchanged, feelings were hurt and it’s likely not the last time this issue will be discussed.

Both sides stand on solid ground and that’s why this predicament is so difficult to defuse.

Those parents who feel French is a vital part of their child’s education are desperate. With 30 kids shut out from French immersion next year, many feel their child will be denied a proper education. Now forced to take a different direction, it’s a potentially a life changing moment.

The school board has to think in broader terms. French immersion is one tiny element of the public education system. Money is tight and finding balance has never been more difficult. Everything comes at a cost and it’s not fair that 30 families impact a budget which so many more children depend upon.

Tuesday’s decision not to spend money on an independent review was the right one. Too often consultant reports are a good way to be seen to be doing something without actually doing anything. Spending money the school district doesn’t have will not produce a magic solution parents are hoping for and probably only create more frustration.

School trustee elections are slated for this fall. It’s there that democracy might have an important say in how the rest of this French immersion drama plays out.

Nelson Star