Values-Focused, Tuition-Free School Proposed by BC Community’s Residents

A handful of Vernon, B.C., residents who are concerned about the state of children’s education are working on the launch of an alternative school that will focus on academics and character development. “It grew out of a frustration that you can’t even have a conversation within the schools; within the PAC [parent advisory council] meetings, within the school district,” said Clayton Ellams, who taught high school for 10 years and is one of the directors of the project. Dubbed Vernon Oak Learning, the incorporated non-profit society is behind the planned elementary school in B.C.’s Okanagan region. The other directors are Lee Warzechna, a retired paramedic who says children need a better quality education to become well-rounded citizens; Sibille Beyer, a parent who stayed home to raise her family and has worked in Vernon’s children and youth organizations; and Amber Stamm’ler, a mom and local family fruit grower. Also involved is Tal Salisbury, who ran a small business with his wife and says, as a grandfather, he felt an urgency to help develop the next generation....