The verdict is in on education reform, The Ottawa Citizen, Thu 30 Apr 2009, Elizabeth
This crop of Ontario students may be the most tested in history, yet some only graduate with the help of a giant safety net that rescues them from failure even if they cheat, plagiarize, fail to show up for tests and don't hand in assignments.
The policies, being dubbed "Johnny can't fail," were aimed at raising high-school graduation rates. And they have outraged the province's high-school teachers, many of whom have spoken out in recent weeks to say the system is broken. Meanwhile, university professors have added to the concern about Ontario high-school graduates, saying they are seeing growing numbers of students who are immature, have weak research skills, are unable to work independently, and have highly developed senses of entitlement.
Weren't the back-to-basics education reforms of the 1990s supposed to fix all this?
That's certainly what we were told when Mike Harris's Common Sense Revolution rolled in with changes that included a much-heralded return to standardized testing and more accountability in education.
To be fair, the education reform movement was not a Tory invention; it was embraced by parties of all political stripes in Ontario and across North America. Although big changes came into effect under the Ontario Conservatives, most of them were recommended by the province's Royal Commission on Learning, appointed by Bob Rae's NDP government. And the current provincial Liberal government has maintained and supported many of the reforms it inherited.
The issues faced by some high school students and recent graduates are telling. The students at the centre of the storm are among the first to have fully experienced education reform -- they have been
tested throughout most of their school careers. Are "Johnny can't fail" and Generation Google products of these "fixes" to the school system?
Given mounting evidence, it is worth asking what happened to the tougher standards the system was supposed to produce and whether the simplistic ideas that typified the education reform movement have done more harm than good to a generation of students.
Alfie Kohn, a vocal education critic and U.S.-based author of The Case Against Standardized Testing and The Schools Our Children Deserve, has many theories about how so-called "rigorous" standards and standardized testing can be hazardous to children's education.
He has been warning audiences in Canada and the U.S. for years about the negative consequences of the education reform movement.
"The dirty little secret of education reform is that standardized exams, like those imposed on Ontario students, tend to measure what matters least," he said in an e-mail interview.
As a result, he said, it is possible to raise students' test scores, yet lower the quality of their learning. "Conversely, some teachers do wonderful lessons that help kids think deeply and get excited about ideas, but those students' test scores don't go up and may even go down."
In other words, in Kohn's view, we have a system that rewards shallow thinking and fails to reward more creative, in-depth learning.
Kohn has called standardized testing "inherently destructive to learning" and has said it squeezes the "intellectual life out of our schools."
On first blush, his criticism may seem overzealous. After all, students are tested just four times during 13 or 14 years of school.
But the tests are just part of the problem, he says. "They're just the enforcement mechanism for a top-down, one-size-fits-all, corporate-style accountability fad that has had schools in its grip under both the Tories and the Liberals (in Ontario) ... a narrow focus on rigour and tougher standards is part of the problem. It reflects a mindless, macho sensibility more commonly found among politicians than among educators in the classroom."
Kohn says the "tougher standards movement" gets a number of things wrong, including, critically, what motivates students. A focus on how well one is doing is very different from a focus on what one is doing, he notes. "A preoccupation with performance often undermines interest in learning, quality of learning and a desire to be challenged."
Kohn also believes the emphasis on testing, and teaching for the test, results in sacrifices in other areas. He says accountability, and mandating a particular type of education and outcomes, has a strangling effect on learning.
It is also worth noting EQAO tests in grades 3, 6 and 9, and the high-school literacy tests, are prepared for, taken and then forgotten. Students get no opportunity to learn from the experiences by discussing their results.
The latest issue to bedevil Ontario's school system -- the "Johnny can't fail" syndrome -- results from the same mindset he believes marked the education reform movement all along, a focus on performance, rather than learning. Raising the graduation rate in Ontario is meaningless if the bar has to be lowered to get some of those graduates through.
From this perspective, education reform looks like a failed experiment. This generation of students deserves an explanation.
Elizabeth Payne is a member of the Citizen's editorial board.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Election updates!
Election race nearly a dead heat: poll; NDP has narrowed gap to three points despite losing ground on some issues, The Vancouver Sun, Wed 29 Apr 2009. Jonathan Fowlie
(excerpts)
The New Democratic Party has narrowed the gap in the provincial election to just three points despite losing ground on key issues such as the economy, an Angus Reid Strategies poll has found.
Done for CTV, the Angus Reid online poll found the B.C. Liberals have 42 per cent support, while the opposition NDP has 39 per cent.
The Green party remains in third place with 13 per cent, and the B.C. Conservatives and independents each have three per cent support.
The poll of 822 people, conducted April 24-26, has a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points, 19 times in 20.
....
Van Dongen could have kept post, Campbell says; Liberal Leader stands by disgraced former solicitor-general and is prepared to face criticism over his decision, The Globe and Mail, Wed 29 Apr 2009. Justine Hunter (excerpts)
GOLDEN -- Liberal Leader Gordon Campbell said yesterday he is prepared to be judged for his decision to stand by his disgraced former solicitor-general, saying John van Dongen could have kept the post if he felt he could stay on top of the government's top priorities in the crime-fighting arena.
Mr. van Dongen's resignation on Monday over his driving record has provided the Liberal campaign's first major setback.
In an interview yesterday, Mr. Campbell defended his judgment about who can stay and who must go from his party.
....
Last Friday, Mr. van Dongen revealed he had lost his driver's licence - the result of being caught twice doing more than 40 kilometres an hour over the posted speed limit. He also accrued seven speeding tickets in the four years before he was named solicitor-general.
By contrast, Mr. Campbell's party dumped candidate Joe Cardoso earlier this year because he had once written a letter to the editor in a newspaper that was critical of the Liberal Party Leader.
....
B.C.'s economic situation and the Liberal platform, The Vancouver Sun, Wed 29 Apr 2009. Marc Lee
The B.C. Liberal platform features many feel-good photos and proud statements taking credit for the province's recent boom. But reading between the lines, one realizes that, after eight years in power, the Liberals have effectively run out of ideas.
The platform fails to offer any vision for the future. The Liberals made some progress on climate change over the past couple years, but the platform offers nothing new. Meanwhile, the climate action secretariat, once residing in the premier's office, has been relegated to the Ministry of the Environment, which recently had its budget cut.
.... the government enters the election without a plan in place to get B.C. to its legislated 33-per-cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. And there are some glaring contradictions between the climate plan and other parts of the Liberals' platform.
One of those contradictions is the oil and gas industry. Between 2001 and 2006, oil and gas industry emissions surged by far more than the carbon tax will ever reduce come 2020. Recently, Campbell was in the northeast, promising more new investment in oil and gas extraction, which may make it virtually impossible to reach our targets. And it is not like the oil and gas patch is a huge employer -- about 2,200 direct jobs in 2008 -- for all that pollution.
Highway expansion and the $3.4-billion Port Mann superbridge also go against the climate-action grain. .... No jurisdiction in the world has ever built its way out of congestion.
The Liberal platform offers no real vision for the economy either, now that the great boom is over. Unemployment rose rapidly through early 2009, and with housing starts down 70 per cent, the worst is yet to come, as construction workers finish their projects and head to the back of the unemployment line.
The economic collapse is not the fault of the Liberals, but then neither was the boom their creation. B.C.'s economic fortunes rest on what happens outside our borders, in particular in the export markets of the U.S. and Asia, and in Ottawa, through the Bank of Canada and the federal government.
In February's budget, the Liberals offered little in the way of stimulus, mostly re-announcing projects already underway or relying on federal stimulus dollars.
....
Bad economic times mean that the small deficit projected in the budget will inevitably turn out to be much larger.
The Liberal platform promises that B.C. will "live within its means," but, faced with a $1-billion to $2-billion deficit, will a new Liberal government pile on more spending cuts and risk making the economic picture worse, or will it accommodate a larger deficit?
What does that mean for the few new promises in the platform, like all-day kindergarten ....
.... during the good times, not all British Columbians were part of the boom. Poverty rates did not drop in any meaningful way, homelessness doubled, and inequality worsened with each passing year.
.....
(excerpts)
The New Democratic Party has narrowed the gap in the provincial election to just three points despite losing ground on key issues such as the economy, an Angus Reid Strategies poll has found.
Done for CTV, the Angus Reid online poll found the B.C. Liberals have 42 per cent support, while the opposition NDP has 39 per cent.
The Green party remains in third place with 13 per cent, and the B.C. Conservatives and independents each have three per cent support.
The poll of 822 people, conducted April 24-26, has a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points, 19 times in 20.
....
Van Dongen could have kept post, Campbell says; Liberal Leader stands by disgraced former solicitor-general and is prepared to face criticism over his decision, The Globe and Mail, Wed 29 Apr 2009. Justine Hunter (excerpts)
GOLDEN -- Liberal Leader Gordon Campbell said yesterday he is prepared to be judged for his decision to stand by his disgraced former solicitor-general, saying John van Dongen could have kept the post if he felt he could stay on top of the government's top priorities in the crime-fighting arena.
Mr. van Dongen's resignation on Monday over his driving record has provided the Liberal campaign's first major setback.
In an interview yesterday, Mr. Campbell defended his judgment about who can stay and who must go from his party.
....
Last Friday, Mr. van Dongen revealed he had lost his driver's licence - the result of being caught twice doing more than 40 kilometres an hour over the posted speed limit. He also accrued seven speeding tickets in the four years before he was named solicitor-general.
By contrast, Mr. Campbell's party dumped candidate Joe Cardoso earlier this year because he had once written a letter to the editor in a newspaper that was critical of the Liberal Party Leader.
....
B.C.'s economic situation and the Liberal platform, The Vancouver Sun, Wed 29 Apr 2009. Marc Lee
The B.C. Liberal platform features many feel-good photos and proud statements taking credit for the province's recent boom. But reading between the lines, one realizes that, after eight years in power, the Liberals have effectively run out of ideas.
The platform fails to offer any vision for the future. The Liberals made some progress on climate change over the past couple years, but the platform offers nothing new. Meanwhile, the climate action secretariat, once residing in the premier's office, has been relegated to the Ministry of the Environment, which recently had its budget cut.
.... the government enters the election without a plan in place to get B.C. to its legislated 33-per-cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. And there are some glaring contradictions between the climate plan and other parts of the Liberals' platform.
One of those contradictions is the oil and gas industry. Between 2001 and 2006, oil and gas industry emissions surged by far more than the carbon tax will ever reduce come 2020. Recently, Campbell was in the northeast, promising more new investment in oil and gas extraction, which may make it virtually impossible to reach our targets. And it is not like the oil and gas patch is a huge employer -- about 2,200 direct jobs in 2008 -- for all that pollution.
Highway expansion and the $3.4-billion Port Mann superbridge also go against the climate-action grain. .... No jurisdiction in the world has ever built its way out of congestion.
The Liberal platform offers no real vision for the economy either, now that the great boom is over. Unemployment rose rapidly through early 2009, and with housing starts down 70 per cent, the worst is yet to come, as construction workers finish their projects and head to the back of the unemployment line.
The economic collapse is not the fault of the Liberals, but then neither was the boom their creation. B.C.'s economic fortunes rest on what happens outside our borders, in particular in the export markets of the U.S. and Asia, and in Ottawa, through the Bank of Canada and the federal government.
In February's budget, the Liberals offered little in the way of stimulus, mostly re-announcing projects already underway or relying on federal stimulus dollars.
....
Bad economic times mean that the small deficit projected in the budget will inevitably turn out to be much larger.
The Liberal platform promises that B.C. will "live within its means," but, faced with a $1-billion to $2-billion deficit, will a new Liberal government pile on more spending cuts and risk making the economic picture worse, or will it accommodate a larger deficit?
What does that mean for the few new promises in the platform, like all-day kindergarten ....
.... during the good times, not all British Columbians were part of the boom. Poverty rates did not drop in any meaningful way, homelessness doubled, and inequality worsened with each passing year.
.....
In the news today....
School trustees approve budget -- and cuts -- without debate, Coquitlam Now Wed 29 Apr 2009. Jennifer Mcfee (excerpts)
More than 31 full-time positions will be axed from School District 43 after the 2009-10 budget passed April 20 with no comment from trustees.
The district faced a $4.1-million shortfall due to increased costs for negotiated salaries, benefits, pension plans and utilities, as well as the elimination of one-time funds.
To balance the budget, the leadership team came up with a plan to cut the equivalent of 31.25 positions -- including 16.75 teaching positions by increasing student-to-teacher ratios. Other losses will include three custodians, two noon-hour supervisors, two learning support teachers and one delivery person.
At the same time, the district will add 6.6 full-time support positions, including a human resource manager at a cost of $94,500.
.....
School board faces cuts, The Grand Forks Gazette, Wed 29 Apr 2009. Jim Holtz
(excerpts)
.... The programs and services currently offered by the district will cost $910,000 more to deliver in the 2009-10 school year than the Ministry of Education is willing to grant. Although the ministry has announced that they are spending more in 2009-10 than ever before, the increases in costs facing all districts far exceed the amount of money they have been granted.
"I guess it is all in semantics," Superintendent Michael Strukoff said at the April 21 meeting of the district finance committee. "For 2009-2010, on a per student basis, yes, it will be the highest funding ever, but unfortunately since 2008-2009 our costs have gone up substantially higher."
....
Layoffs to impact teachers; Union prez says up to 10 positions threatened in cuts, The Record (New Westminster) Wed 29 Apr 2009. Niki Hope (excerpts)
The New Westminster Teachers' Union president is bracing for layoffs.
Grant Osborne said he's heard that roughly 10 teachers will be cut this year as a part of the district's effort to shave $3 million from the budget.
....
E-mails could cost head of parents' group; Members to consider call for his removal, The Vancouver Sun Wed 29 Apr 2009. Janet Steffenhagen (excerpts)
Ron Broda will learn this weekend if a couple of ill-considered e-mails will cost him the presidency of the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC), the group that speaks for parents on education issues.
The government-funded organization has been stumbling for months, ever since Broda accidentally sent an e-mail calling two parents "stupid" to a BCCPAC listserve. He followed it with a second, angry e-mail -- which he titled Stupid Me -- repeating the insults, expanding them to include others and listing everything he dislikes about being president.
"Resign, some of you have said," he wrote in the e-mail. "You have no idea how many times that I have thought of doing just that. But stupid me for thinking that I can make a difference to this organization."
Since he didn't step down, some members have submitted a resolution to the BCCPAC annual general meeting this weekend calling for his removal.
.....
More than 31 full-time positions will be axed from School District 43 after the 2009-10 budget passed April 20 with no comment from trustees.
The district faced a $4.1-million shortfall due to increased costs for negotiated salaries, benefits, pension plans and utilities, as well as the elimination of one-time funds.
To balance the budget, the leadership team came up with a plan to cut the equivalent of 31.25 positions -- including 16.75 teaching positions by increasing student-to-teacher ratios. Other losses will include three custodians, two noon-hour supervisors, two learning support teachers and one delivery person.
At the same time, the district will add 6.6 full-time support positions, including a human resource manager at a cost of $94,500.
.....
School board faces cuts, The Grand Forks Gazette, Wed 29 Apr 2009. Jim Holtz
(excerpts)
.... The programs and services currently offered by the district will cost $910,000 more to deliver in the 2009-10 school year than the Ministry of Education is willing to grant. Although the ministry has announced that they are spending more in 2009-10 than ever before, the increases in costs facing all districts far exceed the amount of money they have been granted.
"I guess it is all in semantics," Superintendent Michael Strukoff said at the April 21 meeting of the district finance committee. "For 2009-2010, on a per student basis, yes, it will be the highest funding ever, but unfortunately since 2008-2009 our costs have gone up substantially higher."
....
Layoffs to impact teachers; Union prez says up to 10 positions threatened in cuts, The Record (New Westminster) Wed 29 Apr 2009. Niki Hope (excerpts)
The New Westminster Teachers' Union president is bracing for layoffs.
Grant Osborne said he's heard that roughly 10 teachers will be cut this year as a part of the district's effort to shave $3 million from the budget.
....
E-mails could cost head of parents' group; Members to consider call for his removal, The Vancouver Sun Wed 29 Apr 2009. Janet Steffenhagen (excerpts)
Ron Broda will learn this weekend if a couple of ill-considered e-mails will cost him the presidency of the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC), the group that speaks for parents on education issues.
The government-funded organization has been stumbling for months, ever since Broda accidentally sent an e-mail calling two parents "stupid" to a BCCPAC listserve. He followed it with a second, angry e-mail -- which he titled Stupid Me -- repeating the insults, expanding them to include others and listing everything he dislikes about being president.
"Resign, some of you have said," he wrote in the e-mail. "You have no idea how many times that I have thought of doing just that. But stupid me for thinking that I can make a difference to this organization."
Since he didn't step down, some members have submitted a resolution to the BCCPAC annual general meeting this weekend calling for his removal.
.....
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
SD5 Carbon Tax bill
$10,928.80 is how much money SD5 is paying for fuels purchased between July 1st and December 1st 2008.
This covers 11,692 L of gasoline, 82,008 L of diesel fuel, and 116,862 gigajoules of natural gas......
But no funding or relief from the Government....
This covers 11,692 L of gasoline, 82,008 L of diesel fuel, and 116,862 gigajoules of natural gas......
But no funding or relief from the Government....
Thursday, April 23, 2009
FDTA AGM election results
A great FDTA AGM was held last night - at a 'last minute' changed location.... another story for the history books.
President/Alternate LR: Steve Fairbairn
Vice President:Meghan Culley
LR: Kate Noakes
Sec/Treasurer: Bil Bell
Health and Safety: Bill Bell and Fred Gietz
Ab Ed: Michelle Chechotko
Bargaining: Keith Regular
PD: Cindy Gleb
Member-at-large: Mike Kelly and Mike Tomney
Social Justice: Vacant
Some new and younger faces to keep the creative juices flowing...
Congratulatory emails are coming in from around the province already.
:)
President/Alternate LR: Steve Fairbairn
Vice President:Meghan Culley
LR: Kate Noakes
Sec/Treasurer: Bil Bell
Health and Safety: Bill Bell and Fred Gietz
Ab Ed: Michelle Chechotko
Bargaining: Keith Regular
PD: Cindy Gleb
Member-at-large: Mike Kelly and Mike Tomney
Social Justice: Vacant
Some new and younger faces to keep the creative juices flowing...
Congratulatory emails are coming in from around the province already.
:)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Letter to the editor - from a Liberal!
Three strikes against Campbell
Gordon Campbell wants my vote for the third time, but I'm not sure he's earned it.
Strike 1 - He lifted the moratorium on salmon farm expansion, threatening B.C.'s wild salmon, ignoring the pulse of the people and the warnings from experts. Please Google Living Oceans Society.
Strike 2 - He gave away our future affordable electrical security by privatizing publicly built generators like Kemano.
Strike 3 - Shortly after promising to keep B.C. Rail public, he sold it to Canadian National Railway; now an off-shore company.
I could go on.
Mr. Campbell's Liberals like to remind us of the NDP's fast ferries fiasco.
That well intentioned but doomed investment was meant to train and provide future jobs in B.C. It was the wrong design - so order the right one from Germany?
At least the mistake had an accountable cost.
Wild salmon - priceless.
Electrical security - priceless.
B.C. Rail - under investigation.
Carbon tax - politically correct name to sneak in another grab.
Respectfully, all politicians enter the ring with a passion to improve the land and people they love. Unfortunately there are a lot of very talented lobbyists along the way. Power corrupts. It is like osmosis; some politicians get more arrogant the longer they are in power.
Personally, I am going to surprise my right wing peers and risk my vote on Carole James, hopefully the first female premier in B.C.'s history.
Do your homework people. Ask the hard questions and be sure to vote. It is the only minute of real time you get to have a say in our children's fishless, inflated future.
Jim Horner
Whistler
piquenewsmagazine
Gordon Campbell wants my vote for the third time, but I'm not sure he's earned it.
Strike 1 - He lifted the moratorium on salmon farm expansion, threatening B.C.'s wild salmon, ignoring the pulse of the people and the warnings from experts. Please Google Living Oceans Society.
Strike 2 - He gave away our future affordable electrical security by privatizing publicly built generators like Kemano.
Strike 3 - Shortly after promising to keep B.C. Rail public, he sold it to Canadian National Railway; now an off-shore company.
I could go on.
Mr. Campbell's Liberals like to remind us of the NDP's fast ferries fiasco.
That well intentioned but doomed investment was meant to train and provide future jobs in B.C. It was the wrong design - so order the right one from Germany?
At least the mistake had an accountable cost.
Wild salmon - priceless.
Electrical security - priceless.
B.C. Rail - under investigation.
Carbon tax - politically correct name to sneak in another grab.
Respectfully, all politicians enter the ring with a passion to improve the land and people they love. Unfortunately there are a lot of very talented lobbyists along the way. Power corrupts. It is like osmosis; some politicians get more arrogant the longer they are in power.
Personally, I am going to surprise my right wing peers and risk my vote on Carole James, hopefully the first female premier in B.C.'s history.
Do your homework people. Ask the hard questions and be sure to vote. It is the only minute of real time you get to have a say in our children's fishless, inflated future.
Jim Horner
Whistler
piquenewsmagazine
Monday, April 20, 2009
Why you should vote YES for STV on May 12th
from: "Anger the Polls Don't Yet Catch. Governator and premier: Why heat California's pools?
Three issues gaining traction as the campaigns unfold.", Rafe Mair. TheTyee.ca April 20, 2009
Picking political winners in British Columbia is a mug's game. Going back to 1972, the NDP won a landslide victory with just 39 per cent of the popular vote. In 1975, it lost to a Socred landslide even though it still had 39 per cent of the vote. In 1996, the NDP won even though more voters picked the Liberals. This is a manifestation of the first-past-the-post system and a damned good reason to support STV in the May 12 referendum. At this writing, the Green party is at 15 per cent in the polls. They won't stay there because the race will get down to the two main parties. If, however, the Greens had supported STV in 2005, STV would have passed and they would be looking at a pretty decent number of seats.
Three issues gaining traction as the campaigns unfold.", Rafe Mair. TheTyee.ca April 20, 2009
Picking political winners in British Columbia is a mug's game. Going back to 1972, the NDP won a landslide victory with just 39 per cent of the popular vote. In 1975, it lost to a Socred landslide even though it still had 39 per cent of the vote. In 1996, the NDP won even though more voters picked the Liberals. This is a manifestation of the first-past-the-post system and a damned good reason to support STV in the May 12 referendum. At this writing, the Green party is at 15 per cent in the polls. They won't stay there because the race will get down to the two main parties. If, however, the Greens had supported STV in 2005, STV would have passed and they would be looking at a pretty decent number of seats.
From the Tyee.ca - Election information for YOU
From "Campbell Era Economy Nothing to Brag About. Deep cuts: B.C. leads Canada in job losses. NDP saw higher growth. Now BC jobs are crashing." Bill Tieleman, TheTyee.ca, April 14, 2009 (excerpts)
Growth was higher under NDP
Start from 2001, when the B.C. Liberals took power, and use private-sector estimates through 2009 -- even though they are rosy and likely to be far worse -- ....
During the B.C. Liberal government reign, the average annual rate of economic growth was 2.6 per cent.
But what was the average annual growth when the New Democratic Party was in power from 1991 to 2001 -- .....
Try annual growth of 2.8 per cent -- a better record than the B.C. Liberals.
NDP saw more job growth, too ....
During the NDP's decade, employment grew by 22 per cent, or 344,100 jobs. Between 2001 and 2008, the B.C. Liberals have seen 20 per cent growth, or 392,700 jobs, for a lower percentage increase.
But wait! From January through March, B.C. has lost a staggering 63,000 jobs -- 35,000 in January, 5,000 in February and 23,000 in March, the month that led all of Canada.
Overall, Statistics Canada says B.C. lost 69,000 jobs since October 2008, a three per cent drop.
That means B.C. Liberal job growth is actually only 323,700 jobs from 2001 to April 2009 -- far less than the NDP.
.......
Is that modest deficit for real? ($495 million)
Helmut Pastrick -- the respected chief economist of Central 1 Credit Union (formerly B.C. Central Credit Union) has said the B.C. Liberal government's numbers were way off -- he thought the deficit this year should be $1 billion to $1.5 billion.
"A deficit of $1 to $1.5 billion or 0.6 per cent of GDP in 2009-10 is the more likely outcome due to revenue shortfalls," said Central 1 Credit Union's report on the budget. "Revenue in 2009-10 is not likely to be realized, particularly in the personal income, social service and property transfer lines."
And writing in The Tyee, Will McMartin called it a "toxic fudge budget" because the numbers were so cooked and sweet.
……
And...
Anger the Polls Don't Yet Catch. Governator and premier: Why heat California's pools? Three issues gaining traction as the campaigns unfold., Rafe Mair. TheTyee.ca April 20, 2009 (excerpts)
This election's three biggies
1. The perception, indeed reality, of arrogance in the person of Gordon Campbell. On environmental matters, which I'll come to, he has been callous and insulting. The sleaze factor, now coming more and more in focus as part of the hubris of the Campbell government and its leader, increases by the day. The Basi-Virk case and the government stonewalling and the revelations of double dipping by Ken Dobell and, especially, Patrick Kinsella, show a distinct "up yours" attitude.
2. The economy is a huge issue. .... What seems to me interesting is that the Liberals, during the NDP tenure, would not cut them any slack because of the Asian meltdown. "No excuses!" was Campbell's cry. …
But Campbell's Liberals don't accept the same standards. It's of course silly to blame a provincial government for world wide economic problems but could we not ask the Liberals: "The signs were all there; a huge U.S. deficit, ditto the budget deficit, the huge national debt, and unbelievable scandals in large corporations. Why couldn't the Liberal government with all its high priced help in the Finance Ministry do what then finance minister Hugh Curtis did in 1979, namely, foresee a crisis and take steps to minimize the consequences? Or was Campbell warned but didn't take notice?
…..
3. The environment wears several hats. The gas tax axing by the NDP is seen by many city dwellers as bad policy ..... In rural B.C., the gas tax is very unpopular.
What is very interesting are the issues of fish farms and private rivers. Nowhere has Premier Campbell been more callous unto autocratic than on these two issues.
Since 2001, Campbell has not only arrogantly refused to accept the clear scientific opinion that sea lice from fish farms are killing off Pink and Chum migrating smolts, in fact, as soon as another scientific opinion came in, more licenses would be issued or capacity increased. ....
The hitherto "elephant in the house" issue, the desecration of rivers by private companies ...., has now been exposed. ...... People are seeing the sweetheart deals with corporate pals, the environmental degradation, the lack of consultation and the ruination of BC Hydro. Every day that passes, this issue rings out stronger especially since the government has not told the truth.
….. more and more voters realize that none of this private electricity is staying in B.C. That's because it can't. Let me explain.
Private producers can only produce electricity, for the most part, during the spring run-off when the water is high enough to make the generators work. That is the very time that BC Hydro has full reservoirs. Electricity cannot be stored so private power has nowhere to go but out of the province where it will be subject to NAFTA, which means that Americans with a right to use our water can use it for any purpose they choose and their leases will not be bound by statute or private lease terms. NAFTA, being an international treaty, trumps Canadian laws.
……
Growth was higher under NDP
Start from 2001, when the B.C. Liberals took power, and use private-sector estimates through 2009 -- even though they are rosy and likely to be far worse -- ....
During the B.C. Liberal government reign, the average annual rate of economic growth was 2.6 per cent.
But what was the average annual growth when the New Democratic Party was in power from 1991 to 2001 -- .....
Try annual growth of 2.8 per cent -- a better record than the B.C. Liberals.
NDP saw more job growth, too ....
During the NDP's decade, employment grew by 22 per cent, or 344,100 jobs. Between 2001 and 2008, the B.C. Liberals have seen 20 per cent growth, or 392,700 jobs, for a lower percentage increase.
But wait! From January through March, B.C. has lost a staggering 63,000 jobs -- 35,000 in January, 5,000 in February and 23,000 in March, the month that led all of Canada.
Overall, Statistics Canada says B.C. lost 69,000 jobs since October 2008, a three per cent drop.
That means B.C. Liberal job growth is actually only 323,700 jobs from 2001 to April 2009 -- far less than the NDP.
.......
Is that modest deficit for real? ($495 million)
Helmut Pastrick -- the respected chief economist of Central 1 Credit Union (formerly B.C. Central Credit Union) has said the B.C. Liberal government's numbers were way off -- he thought the deficit this year should be $1 billion to $1.5 billion.
"A deficit of $1 to $1.5 billion or 0.6 per cent of GDP in 2009-10 is the more likely outcome due to revenue shortfalls," said Central 1 Credit Union's report on the budget. "Revenue in 2009-10 is not likely to be realized, particularly in the personal income, social service and property transfer lines."
And writing in The Tyee, Will McMartin called it a "toxic fudge budget" because the numbers were so cooked and sweet.
……
And...
Anger the Polls Don't Yet Catch. Governator and premier: Why heat California's pools? Three issues gaining traction as the campaigns unfold., Rafe Mair. TheTyee.ca April 20, 2009 (excerpts)
This election's three biggies
1. The perception, indeed reality, of arrogance in the person of Gordon Campbell. On environmental matters, which I'll come to, he has been callous and insulting. The sleaze factor, now coming more and more in focus as part of the hubris of the Campbell government and its leader, increases by the day. The Basi-Virk case and the government stonewalling and the revelations of double dipping by Ken Dobell and, especially, Patrick Kinsella, show a distinct "up yours" attitude.
2. The economy is a huge issue. .... What seems to me interesting is that the Liberals, during the NDP tenure, would not cut them any slack because of the Asian meltdown. "No excuses!" was Campbell's cry. …
But Campbell's Liberals don't accept the same standards. It's of course silly to blame a provincial government for world wide economic problems but could we not ask the Liberals: "The signs were all there; a huge U.S. deficit, ditto the budget deficit, the huge national debt, and unbelievable scandals in large corporations. Why couldn't the Liberal government with all its high priced help in the Finance Ministry do what then finance minister Hugh Curtis did in 1979, namely, foresee a crisis and take steps to minimize the consequences? Or was Campbell warned but didn't take notice?
…..
3. The environment wears several hats. The gas tax axing by the NDP is seen by many city dwellers as bad policy ..... In rural B.C., the gas tax is very unpopular.
What is very interesting are the issues of fish farms and private rivers. Nowhere has Premier Campbell been more callous unto autocratic than on these two issues.
Since 2001, Campbell has not only arrogantly refused to accept the clear scientific opinion that sea lice from fish farms are killing off Pink and Chum migrating smolts, in fact, as soon as another scientific opinion came in, more licenses would be issued or capacity increased. ....
The hitherto "elephant in the house" issue, the desecration of rivers by private companies ...., has now been exposed. ...... People are seeing the sweetheart deals with corporate pals, the environmental degradation, the lack of consultation and the ruination of BC Hydro. Every day that passes, this issue rings out stronger especially since the government has not told the truth.
….. more and more voters realize that none of this private electricity is staying in B.C. That's because it can't. Let me explain.
Private producers can only produce electricity, for the most part, during the spring run-off when the water is high enough to make the generators work. That is the very time that BC Hydro has full reservoirs. Electricity cannot be stored so private power has nowhere to go but out of the province where it will be subject to NAFTA, which means that Americans with a right to use our water can use it for any purpose they choose and their leases will not be bound by statute or private lease terms. NAFTA, being an international treaty, trumps Canadian laws.
……
More election places to go..
1. Animated short film that parodies Gordon Campbell's Liberals and their selling off of BC. Very good and entertaining. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D59ZeMm2E00)
2. CBC has developed a "tag cloud" of the provincial parties' platforms. A tag cloud is a visualization of the most common words used in a piece of text - the more often the word is used, the larger it appears in the graphic. The aim is to give you a new perspective on each party's campaign message. Have a look here: Common Words
2. CBC has developed a "tag cloud" of the provincial parties' platforms. A tag cloud is a visualization of the most common words used in a piece of text - the more often the word is used, the larger it appears in the graphic. The aim is to give you a new perspective on each party's campaign message. Have a look here: Common Words
The numbers don’t lie
(Source - COPE)
$3,000,000,000: Provincial revenues lost each year thanks to Campbell’s tax cuts that led to school closures, tuition increases, overcrowded emergency rooms, broken promises and sweeping cuts to important public services that people depend on.
$9,500: Campbell’s personal savings each year from his income tax cut, in spite of his $186,000 salary.
$1,570: Tax savings for individuals earning $50,000 per year.
$554: Tax savings for individuals earning $16,600 per year.
54%: Salary increase Gordon Campbell awarded himself in 2008.
0%: Increase to minimum wage introduced by Campbell in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009.
200,000: Combined population of Nanaimo and Prince George (the number of children in BC living in poverty).
400,000: The number of BC residents who don’t have a family doctor.
7th highest: Health care spending in BC (as a percentage of CDP) compared with other provinces in 2008.
2nd highest: Health care spending in BC (as a percentage of GDP) compared with other provinces in 2001.
200%: Increase in private for-profit medical clinics in BC over the last five years.
3,000: Estimated number of athletes competing in 2010 Winter Olympics.
3,000: Estimated number of homeless people sleeping in the street of Vancouver.
43%: Salary increase Gordon Campbell gave his Deputy Minister increasing her annual salary to $348,600.
30,000,000: Number of raw logs exported from BC since Gordon Campbell took office in 2001.
26,000: Number of forestry jobs lost since Gordon Campbell took office in 2001.
55: Number of BC mills closed since Gordon Campbell took office in 2001.
$3,000,000,000: Provincial revenues lost each year thanks to Campbell’s tax cuts that led to school closures, tuition increases, overcrowded emergency rooms, broken promises and sweeping cuts to important public services that people depend on.
$9,500: Campbell’s personal savings each year from his income tax cut, in spite of his $186,000 salary.
$1,570: Tax savings for individuals earning $50,000 per year.
$554: Tax savings for individuals earning $16,600 per year.
54%: Salary increase Gordon Campbell awarded himself in 2008.
0%: Increase to minimum wage introduced by Campbell in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009.
200,000: Combined population of Nanaimo and Prince George (the number of children in BC living in poverty).
400,000: The number of BC residents who don’t have a family doctor.
7th highest: Health care spending in BC (as a percentage of CDP) compared with other provinces in 2008.
2nd highest: Health care spending in BC (as a percentage of GDP) compared with other provinces in 2001.
200%: Increase in private for-profit medical clinics in BC over the last five years.
3,000: Estimated number of athletes competing in 2010 Winter Olympics.
3,000: Estimated number of homeless people sleeping in the street of Vancouver.
43%: Salary increase Gordon Campbell gave his Deputy Minister increasing her annual salary to $348,600.
30,000,000: Number of raw logs exported from BC since Gordon Campbell took office in 2001.
26,000: Number of forestry jobs lost since Gordon Campbell took office in 2001.
55: Number of BC mills closed since Gordon Campbell took office in 2001.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
More on School District funding problems in BC
BC School boards face new funding shortfalls. People’s Voice – 2009 April 16 (Vancouver)
… the VSB is facing a $7.12 million shortfall for the 2009-10 school year. Trustees from the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) point to under funding, especially the provincial Liberal government's failure to cover rising costs. Using Ministry of Education figures, the BC Teachers Federation estimates that the shortfall looming for school boards across BC will total $74 million in 2009-10.
This pattern goes back to the mid-1990s, when the Harcourt NDP was in office, and it keeps adding up. For the VSB, getting back to just 2001 funding levels would take well over $40 million.
Other boards are facing similar problems. Since 2002, the financial crunch has led to the closure of 177 schools in British Columbia. Despite the Campbell Liberal rhetoric, west coast schools are not receiving more funding than ever. In 2008-09, for example, the $122 million increase in total operating grants fell short of the $137 million increase in labour settlement costs, let alone other inflationary pressures.
….
School district faces $2M shortfall; Trustees, staff face difficult task of trying to deliver a balanced budget for 2009-10,
The Daily News (Nanaimo) Thu 16 Apr 2009 (Robert Barron)
The Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district is now facing almost $2 million in budget shortfall for 2009-10, double what was predicted only two weeks ago.
…
Cash shortfalls hurt schools, Saanich News, Tue 14 Apr 2009 (Opinion [letter])
… My own district is facing the largest shortfall of its history at $3.6 million. The province every year has claimed an increase to educational funding. However, this funding has never matched up to inflation and rising costs. After years of cuts to programs many districts are not able to cut any more. Instead they are now considering shutting down the whole district for periods of time.
Two-week spring breaks and a four-day school week are now normal conversation. I believe it is an absolute shame that in British Columbia, 'The Best Place on Earth,' that whole school districts are shutting down their educational programs for an extra week or even one day a week in order to get through the year. We have watched schools close for years, now it is districts shutting down for periods of time. It is an absolute shame.
Donnie Peterson
Victoria
from the Victoria Times Colonist, Thu 16 Apr 2009. (Bert Slater)
…. School District 61's operating funds in Victoria have been reduced by $28 million since 1991. Minister Shirley Bond would have us believe that is because of declining enrolment. At about $5,000 per student, that would be 5,600 fewer students in the system today than in 1991.
….
… the VSB is facing a $7.12 million shortfall for the 2009-10 school year. Trustees from the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) point to under funding, especially the provincial Liberal government's failure to cover rising costs. Using Ministry of Education figures, the BC Teachers Federation estimates that the shortfall looming for school boards across BC will total $74 million in 2009-10.
This pattern goes back to the mid-1990s, when the Harcourt NDP was in office, and it keeps adding up. For the VSB, getting back to just 2001 funding levels would take well over $40 million.
Other boards are facing similar problems. Since 2002, the financial crunch has led to the closure of 177 schools in British Columbia. Despite the Campbell Liberal rhetoric, west coast schools are not receiving more funding than ever. In 2008-09, for example, the $122 million increase in total operating grants fell short of the $137 million increase in labour settlement costs, let alone other inflationary pressures.
….
School district faces $2M shortfall; Trustees, staff face difficult task of trying to deliver a balanced budget for 2009-10,
The Daily News (Nanaimo) Thu 16 Apr 2009 (Robert Barron)
The Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district is now facing almost $2 million in budget shortfall for 2009-10, double what was predicted only two weeks ago.
…
Cash shortfalls hurt schools, Saanich News, Tue 14 Apr 2009 (Opinion [letter])
… My own district is facing the largest shortfall of its history at $3.6 million. The province every year has claimed an increase to educational funding. However, this funding has never matched up to inflation and rising costs. After years of cuts to programs many districts are not able to cut any more. Instead they are now considering shutting down the whole district for periods of time.
Two-week spring breaks and a four-day school week are now normal conversation. I believe it is an absolute shame that in British Columbia, 'The Best Place on Earth,' that whole school districts are shutting down their educational programs for an extra week or even one day a week in order to get through the year. We have watched schools close for years, now it is districts shutting down for periods of time. It is an absolute shame.
Donnie Peterson
Victoria
from the Victoria Times Colonist, Thu 16 Apr 2009. (Bert Slater)
…. School District 61's operating funds in Victoria have been reduced by $28 million since 1991. Minister Shirley Bond would have us believe that is because of declining enrolment. At about $5,000 per student, that would be 5,600 fewer students in the system today than in 1991.
….
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Save Our Rivers
Whatever party you support, be sure to watch this first.
Our beautiful province is being decimated, one river at a time.
If you live in BC, click this link:http://ashlu.info/video/bcrivers.html
Our beautiful province is being decimated, one river at a time.
If you live in BC, click this link:
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
TTOC Informational Meetings
SD5, Human Resources (Cynthia Stuart) is setting up meetings with Elk Valley TTOC's (and any other teachers) on the following dates:
April 20 – lunchtime @ RMES
April 20 - after school @ SSS
April 21 – lunchtime @ IDES
April 21 – after school @ FSS
Of course, any member is more than welcome to attend... and to ask questions, raise concerns, suggest ideas.....
April 20 – lunchtime @ RMES
April 20 - after school @ SSS
April 21 – lunchtime @ IDES
April 21 – after school @ FSS
Of course, any member is more than welcome to attend... and to ask questions, raise concerns, suggest ideas.....
Districts in financial straits….. a sampling…. (newspaper articles)
School district grapples with $1.6 million shortfall, Lake Cowichan Gazette, Mon 30 Mar 2009
“A $1.6-million shortfall going into budget talks means Cowichan school trustees will struggle just to maintain services in the valley during the coming school year.”
“…School District 79 …. has $72 million in revenue for the 2009-2010 school year, to maintain current operating expenditures requires more than $74 million.”
School district budgets for student decline, Terrace Standard, Tue 31 Mar 2009.
Molly McNulty
“THE COAST Mountain School District will be receiving nearly $1 million less for the next school year due to fewer student numbers.”
Spending down, Prince George Free Press, Tue 31 Mar 2009. Opinion
“…Our district will run out of the "surplus" that they have been funding government cuts and shortfalls with for the last five years, in the 2009-10 school year. We cannot forget that much of this money came from the closure and selling off of school buildings and lands. For the coming school year (2009-10) the province has not increased the money per student funding that they give to schools.”
Is B.C. really the Best Place on Earth?, Alberni Valley Times, Fri 03 Apr 2009. Ken Zydyk
“…Provincial Government funding levels for SD70 and several other school districts for the 2009/2010 school year are frozen at 08/09 levels. As a result, further cuts to programs and services are anticipated as the school district will be spending proportionally more of their budget to meet increases in fixed costs such as hydro and the carbon tax.”
School District 43 looks at cutting teachers and custodians, The Tri-City News, Wed 01 Apr 2009. Diane Strandberg
“School District 43 (Coquitlam) is looking at cutting teachers, custodial services and noon-hour supervision for high school students in order to balance its budget for next year.
As many as 22 teachers will be lost to the system because of declining enrolment and another 20 could go if SD43's board of education adopts the recommendations of its senior leadership team.”
“Youth workers, student services staff, supplies, learning support teachers, information technology staff could be cut, too.”
“…the board was told that it will get $2 million less because of declining enrolment and faces a total $4.1-million shortfall unless it makes some cuts. Among the cost pressure are higher utility, salary and benefit costs.”
“While SD43 got more money from the province this year, $1.39 million based on an enrolment decline of 400 kindergarten to Grade 12 students, it wasn't enough to cover contractual wage increases and other issues.”
“Trustees were also told that the district's per-pupil allocation of $5,581 hasn't increased since 2007/'08 and remains one of the lowest in the province.”
School bus fees not likely solution; To balance the budget, about $1 million in cuts will need to be made by the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district, The Daily News (Nanaimo) Fri 03 Apr 2009. Robert Barron
“… where nearly $1 million in cutbacks will come from, no one can say.”
“… the school district is facing a shortfall of about $1 million for 2009-10.”
“Nanaimo-Ladysmith is not alone in having to make difficult decisions. The Kelowna school district … looks for ways to cut $3 million from its budget."
Budget pressure on school trustees; Public meeting held to review $1.7-million shortfall for 2009-10, Penticton Herald Fri 03 Apr 2009. Scott Trudeau
“…Okanagan Skaha school trustees will have to do some fancy footwork to address a $1.7-million budget shortfall.”
“…the district is projecting an enrolment decline of 130 students next year, about a two per cent decline.”
"But the budget pressure is not easing as staff salaries and benefits continue to climb, as do the costs for supplies and services,"
“Despite a $294,000 operating grant increase from the ministry, the district's total income revenue is still down about $600,000. This is combined with a $1.14-million expenditure increase, which includes labour settlement and benefit costs.”
“Adding to the school district's financial woes, the government has already stated student funding is being frozen for the 2010-2011 school year, which is the first time since 2002-03 that has occurred.”
School-bus fees coming; District must cut $3m from budget, The Vancouver Province Fri 03 Apr 2009. Elaine O'Connor
“Faced with a $3-million budget cut, Central Okanagan school district …”
“District superintendent Mike Roberts noted in a March 24 report that the district has a $168.4 million budget for 2009/2010 -- $5 million more than the year before -- but that "the cost of all current programs, personnel, resources and materials will rise by a greater amount" to $171.4 million.”
“In 2008, the board cut $4.4 million from its budget. Over the last decade, they've closed or amalgamated more than a dozen schools.”
"All the districts in the Okanagan and Thompson, with the exception of Gold Trail, are facing shortfalls with transportation budgets….”
School boards face budget shortfall; North Van short $3.2M despite provincial funding increase of 2%, North Shore News Wed 25 Mar 2009. James Weldon
“NORTH Shore schools will be facing a shortfall in the millions of dollars next year despite the province's promise to boost education funding across British Columbia.”
“..the Ministry of Education announced it was adding $84 million -- or about 1.9 per cent, to its $4.5-billion education budget for the 2009-2010 school year.”
“…West Vancouver's education ministry grant will rise by a little over $1 million to around $47,400,000 -- an increase of roughly two per cent.”
“But while the figures may look good on paper, the view from the ground is much less rosy, said Irene Young, the North Vancouver school district's secretary-treasurer.”
“Staff salaries and benefits continue to climb, as do the costs of powering and maintaining facilities.”
“At the same time, the district is projecting a decline in other forms of revenue, such as interest on investments, fees from international students and now-exhausted surpluses held over from previous years.”
“All told, North Vancouver is looking at a $3.2-million shortfall.”
“Despite West Vancouver's rise in funding, it too is feeling the pinch.”
"It is probably going to be our most challenging budget year in my seven years (with the district)," said Geoff Jopson, West Vancouver's superintendent of schools. "We (have) to find about $1.3 million in total to meet our needs."”
“A $1.6-million shortfall going into budget talks means Cowichan school trustees will struggle just to maintain services in the valley during the coming school year.”
“…School District 79 …. has $72 million in revenue for the 2009-2010 school year, to maintain current operating expenditures requires more than $74 million.”
School district budgets for student decline, Terrace Standard, Tue 31 Mar 2009.
Molly McNulty
“THE COAST Mountain School District will be receiving nearly $1 million less for the next school year due to fewer student numbers.”
Spending down, Prince George Free Press, Tue 31 Mar 2009. Opinion
“…Our district will run out of the "surplus" that they have been funding government cuts and shortfalls with for the last five years, in the 2009-10 school year. We cannot forget that much of this money came from the closure and selling off of school buildings and lands. For the coming school year (2009-10) the province has not increased the money per student funding that they give to schools.”
Is B.C. really the Best Place on Earth?, Alberni Valley Times, Fri 03 Apr 2009. Ken Zydyk
“…Provincial Government funding levels for SD70 and several other school districts for the 2009/2010 school year are frozen at 08/09 levels. As a result, further cuts to programs and services are anticipated as the school district will be spending proportionally more of their budget to meet increases in fixed costs such as hydro and the carbon tax.”
School District 43 looks at cutting teachers and custodians, The Tri-City News, Wed 01 Apr 2009. Diane Strandberg
“School District 43 (Coquitlam) is looking at cutting teachers, custodial services and noon-hour supervision for high school students in order to balance its budget for next year.
As many as 22 teachers will be lost to the system because of declining enrolment and another 20 could go if SD43's board of education adopts the recommendations of its senior leadership team.”
“Youth workers, student services staff, supplies, learning support teachers, information technology staff could be cut, too.”
“…the board was told that it will get $2 million less because of declining enrolment and faces a total $4.1-million shortfall unless it makes some cuts. Among the cost pressure are higher utility, salary and benefit costs.”
“While SD43 got more money from the province this year, $1.39 million based on an enrolment decline of 400 kindergarten to Grade 12 students, it wasn't enough to cover contractual wage increases and other issues.”
“Trustees were also told that the district's per-pupil allocation of $5,581 hasn't increased since 2007/'08 and remains one of the lowest in the province.”
School bus fees not likely solution; To balance the budget, about $1 million in cuts will need to be made by the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district, The Daily News (Nanaimo) Fri 03 Apr 2009. Robert Barron
“… where nearly $1 million in cutbacks will come from, no one can say.”
“… the school district is facing a shortfall of about $1 million for 2009-10.”
“Nanaimo-Ladysmith is not alone in having to make difficult decisions. The Kelowna school district … looks for ways to cut $3 million from its budget."
Budget pressure on school trustees; Public meeting held to review $1.7-million shortfall for 2009-10, Penticton Herald Fri 03 Apr 2009. Scott Trudeau
“…Okanagan Skaha school trustees will have to do some fancy footwork to address a $1.7-million budget shortfall.”
“…the district is projecting an enrolment decline of 130 students next year, about a two per cent decline.”
"But the budget pressure is not easing as staff salaries and benefits continue to climb, as do the costs for supplies and services,"
“Despite a $294,000 operating grant increase from the ministry, the district's total income revenue is still down about $600,000. This is combined with a $1.14-million expenditure increase, which includes labour settlement and benefit costs.”
“Adding to the school district's financial woes, the government has already stated student funding is being frozen for the 2010-2011 school year, which is the first time since 2002-03 that has occurred.”
School-bus fees coming; District must cut $3m from budget, The Vancouver Province Fri 03 Apr 2009. Elaine O'Connor
“Faced with a $3-million budget cut, Central Okanagan school district …”
“District superintendent Mike Roberts noted in a March 24 report that the district has a $168.4 million budget for 2009/2010 -- $5 million more than the year before -- but that "the cost of all current programs, personnel, resources and materials will rise by a greater amount" to $171.4 million.”
“In 2008, the board cut $4.4 million from its budget. Over the last decade, they've closed or amalgamated more than a dozen schools.”
"All the districts in the Okanagan and Thompson, with the exception of Gold Trail, are facing shortfalls with transportation budgets….”
School boards face budget shortfall; North Van short $3.2M despite provincial funding increase of 2%, North Shore News Wed 25 Mar 2009. James Weldon
“NORTH Shore schools will be facing a shortfall in the millions of dollars next year despite the province's promise to boost education funding across British Columbia.”
“..the Ministry of Education announced it was adding $84 million -- or about 1.9 per cent, to its $4.5-billion education budget for the 2009-2010 school year.”
“…West Vancouver's education ministry grant will rise by a little over $1 million to around $47,400,000 -- an increase of roughly two per cent.”
“But while the figures may look good on paper, the view from the ground is much less rosy, said Irene Young, the North Vancouver school district's secretary-treasurer.”
“Staff salaries and benefits continue to climb, as do the costs of powering and maintaining facilities.”
“At the same time, the district is projecting a decline in other forms of revenue, such as interest on investments, fees from international students and now-exhausted surpluses held over from previous years.”
“All told, North Vancouver is looking at a $3.2-million shortfall.”
“Despite West Vancouver's rise in funding, it too is feeling the pinch.”
"It is probably going to be our most challenging budget year in my seven years (with the district)," said Geoff Jopson, West Vancouver's superintendent of schools. "We (have) to find about $1.3 million in total to meet our needs."”
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