Sacred Heart Catholic School in Williams Lake may not close after all.
Christopher Yuen, Superintendent of Catholic Independent Schools Kamloops Diocese, confirmed in a letter the board is rescinding its decision to close the school at the end of June 2025.
On Jan. 14, 2025, staff, students, families and parishioners at Sacred Heart parish learned the Catholic Independent Schools Kamloops Diocese (CISKD) had decided to close the school because of continued budget deficits that have eaten up the school's savings.
Reversing the decision is conditional on two things, Yuen stated.
Firstly, that in hand donations amounting to $170,000 earmarked for the school's operational use by Feb. 28, 2025.
That amount is needed to cover a budget shortfall anticipated for this fiscal year.
Secondly, the superintendent’s office will work with the Sacred Heart Catholic Church pastor and the local school committee to provide a “critical path and guidance” on the question of sustainability as well as clarity to the community on school governance.
“On behalf of the CISKD Board of Directors, thank you for your love of Sacred Heart School,” Yuen noted in the letter, which is addressed to the parents, guardians, parishioners and community members. “Our passion for Catholic education clearly resonates the community and we all share in the value our school adds to Williams Lake.”
