Vancouver trustees and stakeholders send letter to education minister complaining about funding cuts
Board & Committees
Vancouver – (November 25, 2009) – Vancouver Board of Education trustees, employee unions and parents have come together to jointly convey their deep concerns about recent funding changes that are making it increasingly difficult for Vancouver schools to meet the learning needs of all students.
The school district’s key stakeholders have penned a letter to Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid asking her to reverse the damaging cuts and restore funding to public schools.
“Our public education system is a proven success yet we believe it is at risk of deterioration due to the chronic and increasing financial pressure from provincial underfunding,” the three-page letter reads. “We can not continue to cut corners and make do with less without affecting our ability to provide optimal learning conditions for students.”
Since 2002/03, the Vancouver School Board has had to deal with more than $40 million in accumulated budget shortfalls. Looking head, the district knows its operating costs will continue to rise over the coming years, and it is important that those costs are fully funded, otherwise, the district could face a $25-million shortfall next year. These estimates costs for 2010/11 include:
- Increases for salary increments, employee benefit costs and inflation for goods and services, totally approximately $5 million.
- $4.8 million for the teacher salary increase in the current collective agreement, which becomes effective on July 1, 2010.
- $2.8 million for the increase in employer contributions to the Teachers’ Pension Plan.
- $210,000 for the coming budget year for increased MSP premiums.
- $1 million in HST payments if the district is not given access to rebates.
- Impact of enrolment decline will result in loss of $1.3 million.
- Uncertainty about the future of AFG funding compromises already scarce funds in the Local Capital Reserve.
- Additional unfunded costs related to BCeSIS of $150,000 and carbon offsets of at least $300,000.
It is for these reasons that the district’s key stakeholders are calling on government to reinvest in Vancouver’s public schools.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Patti Bacchus, board chairperson 604-250-1130
