Term-two report cards could soon be back on the table for Chilliwack’s elementary school students.
The Chilliwack school district and Chilliwack Teachers’ Union (CTA) has developed an agreement regarding term-two report cards for elementary students that both groups believe satisfy their individual criteria.
However, the final decision lies in the hands of the BC Teachers’ Federation and the BC Public School Employers’ Association, as well as an impending B.C. Labour Relations Board (LRB) ruling on whether preparing retroactive report cards, which were scheduled to come out during strike action, is considered struck work.
“The provincial scene is having an effect on our local work,” said superintendent Michael Audet. “We are waiting an official decision,” on whether the Chilliwack-specific agreement will be accepted.
CTA president Katharin Midzain is confident the two provincial parties will accept the agreement, but acknowledged the ruling of the LRB could throw a wrench into the plans.
“The agreement the CTA and school district have been talking about certainly honours the work that teachers have already done … and it will certainly continue to support vulnerable students,” said Midzain. “But what complicates this is the LRB hearing this week. How that will play into this, we really don’t know.”
BCPSEA and BCTF have been squaring off in a LRB hearing since Monday regarding report cards. The teachers’ union argues report cards during strike action are struck work and should not be completed. The employers’ union, however, disagrees.
A ruling is expected this week.
In Chilliwack, term-three report cards have already started going home for middle and secondary school students.
And for elementary students, “hopefully parents will see a report in progress sometime this month,” said Audet.
