Education cuts today....

From: Delta trustees consider education cuts across the board, South Delta Leader, Wed 29 Apr 2009. Kristine Thiessen (excerpts)

Facing a 4.9 million dollar shortfall, Delta's school district budget recommendations leave no area of the education system unscathed. ... Superintendent Steve Cardwell said the shortfall is the result of a number of factors, including a decline in enrollment by 2,300 students over the past 10 years and a projected decline of more than 200 students during the next five years.

Cardwell also said the global economic downturn has meant less revenue from international student and continuing education programs, as well as a decrease in investment income from reduced interest rates.
....

Proposed cuts to special programming total $853,693 and include closing two primary-level resource rooms for children with speech and language disabiilties and one for intermediate students with learning disabilities.
....
Delta, she [Marcia McCafferty, president of REACH Child and Youth Development Society] said, "is coming dangerously close to crossing the line in meeting its obligations to the students in the public education system."
... trustees must also decide whether or not to close two elementary schools to address low enrollment. ....

The district's alternative suggestions to school closures included a reduction in availability of STRETCH programs for gifted students, learning assistance support, teacher librarian time (already facing cuts under the recommendations), and a further increase in class sizes.

Delta Manor PAC chair Julie Sanders said the district should feel ashamed for making the trustees choose between school closures and special learning programs. Instead, she asked them to make further cuts to administration staffing and eliminate expenses like catering.

"It's time we start acting like a district of under 15,000 students and cut administration positions that aren't necessary." .....

Delta Teachers' Association president Val Windsor and Delta PAC chairperson Donna Burke expressed a desire to see the funding per pupil formula revamped. Windsor called for parents to vote for a change in government on election day.

"Since the provincial government now determines how much money will be put into the education costs, the only way to change the education funding, in my opinion, is to change the government," she said. ....

Under the budget recommendations a total of 53.6 full time equivalent (FTE) staff lose their jobs. .....

From: Rising school costs limiting education to the privileged, Sicamous Eagle Valley News Tue 28 Apr 2009. Opinion

....Education is becoming more expensive for British Columbians and Canadians.

Here in School District #83, we see that Education Minister Shirley Bond has pointed out the school district is not bound to provide transportation to students and, if the cost becomes too high, the school district could consider charging students for the privilege. .... despite the rising costs of fuel, the district's transportation budget has remained the same since 2003.

Bond says the province, in partnership with the ministry's Technical Review Committee, reviews the education funding formula annually. However, this district's superintendent, who is part of the Technical Review Committee, was questioned by the local board about the committee at the last board meeting. He said of 22 recommendations the committee has made, only two have been accepted......