Skeena Institute » Role of School Board

Mbowles

The local School Board will remain relevant by saying no to government, as the Vancouver School Board did with their budget. The Vancouver Board were willing to stand up for their students and because of that stand, they got more money for their students. In the past, our School Board has gone so far as to present two budgets: one deficit budget that would maintain educational standards and one that complied. It is time our Board took the next step and said, “No! We can cut no more.”

Dwhite

Thank you for your response.

I know it is early in the campaign, but I am hoping that the lack of discussion on this site about education issues, both by other candidates and the public, is not an indication that people are not concerned about education at the local level.

concerned

I would like to know where the trustee candidates stand on the recent decision made by BCPSEA to pursue a cut in teacher pay, and to designate reports cards as an “essential service”? I would also like to know what each trustee envisions as a solution to the current stalemate in negotiations between the teachers and BCPSEA.

Lsanchez

I believe School Boards are responsible for almost all aspects of public schooling.This includes:the provision of learning materials and resources for our students, development of locally initiated courses courses and programmes,transportation of students, maintenance of buildings and property,development of policies to govern the operation of the school system to name a few.The challenge comes when we have to reconcile the diverse and often conflicting expectations of of constituent groups,BCTF, BCPSEA and Govt. who continue to interfere with collective agreements.

Mbowles

Dear concerned:
BCPSEA is out of touch with the realities of teaching or the current situation in schools. The LRB has already ruled favourably to teachers not report card writing for past job actions. Teachers have not cut back any critical/essential service practices, so it does not seem likely the LRB will rule favourably for BCPSEA. This was strictly a political move on the part of BCPSEA.
Any parent or guardian wanting information on the class standing of their children can still contact teachers for that information. There is no excuse for not knowing how well students are doing in any class.

Mbowles

Dear Dale,
I have found people to be very concerned about education, however not too many of them see a way to effectively change the current situation so far. It will be a role of the new Board to make the public believe they play an active part in the education process. A lot will have to change to make people believe again.

Brian Johnson

School Boards need to be more diligent and agressive to meet the needs of their district. We have Ministers of Education who have little or no idea on what it takes to deliver education! Boards need to strive to take control away from the legislature, BCPSEA, and the Ministry. We need to be politically astute to be more relevant.
I do believe in submitting one “realistic” budget. If we are looking at a deficit, a deficit budget should be submitted and addressed with the Ministry.
I would like to see all School Trustees on the Legislature steps voicing their disapproval of the present Governments Ministry of Education.

Brian Johnson

Cutting negotiated wages is a ploy to aggrivate an already bad process. “Collective” bargaining is non-existant. BCPSEA really does NOT negotiate for school boards. Their focus is to represent the provincial governments agenda.
Report cards are NOT an essential service! I do believe that our teachers would provide information to parents verbally if requested.
BC School Trustees should take a look at boycotting BCPSEA meetings. The Provincial Government and their bargaining agent have created many of the issues in we are dealing with in communities throughout our province.
We must look for a better negotiating system and structure. Local governing bodies must have the obligation of negotiating with their unionized and non-signatory employees.

greyhair

Thank you for taking time in running for school board 52 trustee. I would also like to acknowledge your efforts in the Track and Field Program, something you’ve focused a lot of time and energy at.

I feel that report cards are of the utmost importance for any parent’s child of SD 52. This should be viewed as an essential service in our education system. For some parents/ guardians, this is the ONLY time at which they have a benchmark to rate their child’s progress. This is not an ideal picture, but some would argue that it’s the reality.

I can not support a trustee that encourages our board to boycott provincial meetings and stand on the steps of the legislature building and protest. For some people this is not an effective way to show disapproval.

Thank you for your time.

Mbowles

Thank you Brian for responding on this page. It is good to get dialogue going and it will have more people reading it, if there are responses.

Mbowles

It is good to have you on board Louisa. The more candidates who are involved, the better the discussion.

concerned

With respect, the report card is an administrative requirement, not an essential service. The benchmark you are looking for is found in a conversation with a teacher, an email, or by dropping in to the school. Teachers are available at any time in the working day to tell you how your child is doing.

And with regard to your second point, when a government is in the wrong, and when they seem to hold the keys to power, then protest is the only option. Today’s protestors may be tomorrow’s government. One can only hope they will stay true to their original principles.