Portable classrooms have started to pop up at Carson Elementary School, in which hazardous areas remain fenced off due to landslide risk.
From Sunday, March 6 to Wednesday, March 16, portables arrived for students in Grades 4 to 7.
“The staff and students of Carson Elementary have experienced a number of uncertainties since the catastrophic landslide in the spring of 2021,” stated Quesnel School District superintendent Dan Lowndes in a memorandum shared on the district’s website and Facebook page.
“Our intention is to ensure as smooth a process as possible to minimize further disruption for students as those classes affected move to portables.”
While a geotechnical report released last fall concluded that a large portion of the school located at 1255 Graham Avenue is safe, the facility is not viable long term based on its current location.
Read More: Carson Elementary School added to School District 28 list of building replacements
Metal fencing remains up with “Do Not Enter” signs around the landslide area that resulted in the closure of the school’s playground last April.
As the portables arrive, Lowndes said staff will be working to connect services and finish any required installation.
Over spring break, maintenance is anticipated to move all equipment with affected students remaining at home Monday, April 4, to allow all materials to be moved and finalized.
“We understand the challenge this may pose; however, we feel that this will in fact, greatly reduce longer-term disruption,” Lowndes said.
Carson Elementary School was added last fall to the district’s list of building replacements by the Board of Education, which noted the district would be seeking $24 million in grant funding from B.C.’s Ministry of Education for its replacement.
After the landslide last spring the district was able to secure a $1.1 million emergency provincial grant to implement a safety plan that included the installation of four portables.
Read More: Landslide forces closure of Carson playground
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com
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