The Vancouver School Board is giving notice that 11 schools could be closed to address a multi-million-dollar shortfall.

The schools being told to brace for closure are:

  • Graham D. Bruce Elementary
  • Carleton Elementary
  • Champlain Heights Annex
  • Collingwood Neighbourhood (Bruce Annex)
  • Charles Dickens Annex
  • Hudson Elementary
  • Kerrisdale Annex
  • Sir William Macdonald Elementary
  • Sir Richard McBride Annex
  • Queen Alexandra Elementary
  • Admiral Seymour Elementary

A 12th school, Garibaldi Annex, could also be on the chopping block. The school district will reassess its status once September enrolment numbers are in.

A final decision on the potential closures will be made by the end of December. District staff members say they will need at least 60 days to provide a more detailed report on each school.

The announcement was made at a school board meeting Wednesday night, during which trustees will vote on the budget for the 2010-11 school year.

Last week, school board chair Patti Bacchus said that the VSB would consider closing as many as 10 schools in its efforts to make up for a $17.23-million budget shortfall.

Along with school closures, the board also plans to 162-full time staff positions and cancel some programs, for a total savings of $15.73 million.

That leaves the VSB with a shortfall of $1.5 million, which the board has recommended should be covered with a transfer from its capital reserves.