Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district is monitoring student numbers with Rutherford Elementary School on track to re-open in September.
The school board of the day shuttered the north-end school in 2018 in the midst of declining enrolment, but the situation has turned around, with district-wide enrolment forecast to climb to 15,494 full-time students in 2025-26, up from 15,280 in 2024-25. In a strategic directions committee report Wednesday, May 7, staff stated Rutherford Elementary will accommodate catchment students as well as the needs of other school district programs.
"Enrolment is currently around 250 students, so it's great to have it coming up to that nice viable number…" said Jacquie Poulin, assistant superintendent of elementary programs, speaking to the committee. "Even though Grade 7 was optional, we do have a number of Grade 7 students who've decided to move to Rutherford and be part of that new family."
The report mentioned the 'transitions' classroom, offering "hybrid support for students in direct partnership with neighbourhood schools" and the resilience, inclusion, skills and engagement program, assisting students with barriers that prevent them from attending a traditional classroom, as school district programs that will operate out of the school.
According to the report, SD68 can't approve requests from out-of-catchment students at this time, but staff will keep tabs on the situation, "particularly with respect to the ability to provide ongoing space and staffing for students at McGirr, Frank J. Ney, [Randerson Ridge] and Departure Bay."
"We have about 40 out-of-catchment requests," said Poulin. "At this point in time, as we are watching our elementary enrolment so closely, we are holding off until June. Registration is still coming in so much in May and June that we want to just be really respectful of staffing, resources and where were at, but we're watching it closely and staying in close communication with families."
Formerly known as the Rutherford Roadrunners, the school will bring back its traditional blue for its team colour, and a new mascot has been chosen. Snuneymuxw First Nation artist James Johnny created Rutherford Rams artwork following consultation with the parent advisory council and student body.
#Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools on track for September opening of Rutherford Elementary. New logo unveiled: Rutherford Rams. Design by James Johnny. #BCed pic.x.com/tPhRaUnXlh
— Karl Yu (@KarlYuBulletin) May 9, 2025
