After much discussion, the Central Okanagan School District is moving forward with new middle and early French Immersion programs.

At a regular board meeting on Wednesday night, trustees discussed the West Kelowna area before passing a motion to support French Immersion for Grade 4 and Grade 6entry points.

Currently, the district has French Immersion only at the Kindergarten entry point.

sa国际传媒淲hen are we talking about putting in middle school French Immersion on the west side? Thatsa国际传媒檚 the question I keep getting all the time,sa国际传媒� said trustee Rolli Cacchioni.

The report presented to the district does not have a date for the implementation of the French programs due to other factors such as overcrowding in the west side schools, and procedures that have to occur.

sa国际传媒淲e do believe we would like to build a viable program on the westside. Our target year would be 2018,sa国际传媒� said superintendent Kevin Kaardal.

The first step is a district-wide consultation, then the district will provide recommendations to the government on what it should do in terms of the West Kelowna area and also recommendations for French Immersion, said Kaardal.

sa国际传媒淚t just doesnsa国际传媒檛 happen overnight,sa国际传媒� he said.

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Chairperson Moyra Baxter said there are many elements to the schools in West Kelowna which make it a large issue including population growth, and the changing and building of middle schools.

sa国际传媒淚 can tell you the west side is going to be our biggest problem,sa国际传媒� she said.

The school board received positive feedback from the community regarding Grade 4 and Grade 6 French Immersion.

An online survey conducted had 994 surveys completed and 242 people attended regional town hall meetings.

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