http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ The City of Vernon increasingly wants to be involved in the future of West Vernon Elementary. Members of council attended a meeting between the Vernon School District and parents Tuesday to discuss the potential
closure of the school because of low enrolment and budget constraints. “We need to keep the lines of communication more open,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert, who has had concerns the city wasn’t consulted about the district’s actions. Lippert is aware of why the district is moving towards closure. “I understand the business case scenario for it but you’re also dealing with part of the community. You have to look at what happens if you take it (school) out. You have to look at more than just the financial,” he said. “It’s a unique school. It fits a part of the community like no other school does. I feel for the people down there.” Lippert hopes to discuss the issue further with the district to see if there are options to avoid closure. Coun. Buffy Baumbrough is a strong supporter of the school and its impact on children in the area. “A school plays a critical role in building communities. It’s a shame to close schools down,” she said.
Baumbrough also fears closing West Vernon may make it difficult for the city to move ahead with redevelopment of the downtown core, including high-density, affordable housing. Enrolment throughout Vernon is dropping, and Baumbrough says there needs to be a strategy to prevent future closures even if West Vernon can’t be saved. “We have to look at how schools are utilized,” she said. Bill Turanski, school district chairman, isn’t sure what the city can do in terms of West Vernon. “I don't know specifically what the community could do,” he said. He points out that a final decision on West Vernon will be made Feb. 20. “We have to make a decision by then because if we do close the school, we have to decide where students will go (in September) and also deal with catchment areas,” said Turanski. 
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