Nicola Similkameen School District (SD58) has officially passed a motion to explore the possibility of the closure of either Collettville Elementary or Merritt Central Elementary during a Sept. 10 meeting. The decision to explore the possibility of a closure is being spurred by declining student enrolment across younger demographics within the district. Soon after it was discussed that a school closure would save $400,000 to $600,000 in annual operating costs. With this motion passed, the board can now start having discussions on how the resources saved from the closure can be used. In a message to the Herald that was also presented to the board, Goetz argued this influx could bring 100 new students.