Nanaimo students might have a longer spring break next year.
Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to consult with the public about extending spring break to two weeks from one week next year.
The extra time off would be made up by adding about 30 minutes to each school week.
By combining the Easter long weekend and spring break, schools would be closed for an additional four days. Good Friday is already a statutory holiday, but students and staff would be off for two weeks plus a day, as Easter Monday is also a stat holiday.
Secretary-treasurer Phil Turin, who suggested that trustees look at an extended spring break, said the change is an opportunity to save money – he expects the move will save about $366,000 at a time when cuts will likely be necessary to balance the budget – and to give staff and students a chance to re-energize.
“It’s halfway between January and June,” he said. “Absenteeism traditionally goes up around that time.”
Jamie Brennan, school board chairman, said the four-day additional holiday would help trustees balance the budget, but they want to hear from the public before making a decision.
“We’re going to consult, we’re going to listen to people,” he said.
Consultation will include an online survey available at www.sd68.bc.ca and a public meeting scheduled for April 10.
On April 18, trustees will decide whether to make the changes.
Last spring, trustees voted against extending spring break this year following a public consultation process.
Almost 1,700 people responded to the district’s school calendar survey last year, with 59.7 per cent in favour of a two-week spring break, 36.7 per cent opposed and 3.8 per cent neutral.
Last year’s two-week break saved the district about $500,000, mostly in support staff wages, utilities and replacement costs.
Brennan said trustees are concerned about parents’ ability to find daycare for the additional four days as well as the interruption of food programs provided in schools, but the district could look into alternate ways to deliver the programs.
Another concern is the district’s support workers, who would lose four days’ pay, he added.
“We hope in the end we’ll be able to keep more people working as a result of the savings,” said Brennan.
Ron Farino, president of CUPE Local 606, said if approved, the extended break would hurt his members because they are paid on an hourly basis.
“They’re some of the lowest paid employees of the district and they’re the ones taking the hit to balance the budget,” he said. “A lot of them have second jobs to try to make ends meet. Every hour counts toward supporting your family.”
Nanaimo students might have a longer spring break next year.
Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to consult with the public about extending spring break to two weeks from one week next year.
The extra time off would be made up by adding about 30 minutes to each school week.
By combining the Easter long weekend and spring break, schools would be closed for an additional four days. Good Friday is already a statutory holiday, but students and staff would be off for two weeks plus a day, as Easter Monday is also a stat holiday.
Secretary-treasurer Phil Turin, who suggested that trustees look at an extended spring break, said the change is an opportunity to save money – he expects the move will save about $366,000 at a time when cuts will likely be necessary to balance the budget – and to give staff and students a chance to re-energize.
“It’s halfway between January and June,” he said. “Absenteeism traditionally goes up around that time.”
Jamie Brennan, school board chairman, said the four-day additional holiday would help trustees balance the budget, but they want to hear from the public before making a decision.
“We’re going to consult, we’re going to listen to people,” he said.
Consultation will include an online survey available at www.sd68.bc.ca and a public meeting scheduled for April 10.
On April 18, trustees will decide whether to make the changes.
Last spring, trustees voted against extending spring break this year following a public consultation process.
Almost 1,700 people responded to the district’s school calendar survey last year, with 59.7 per cent in favour of a two-week spring break, 36.7 per cent opposed and 3.8 per cent neutral.
Last year’s two-week break saved the district about $500,000, mostly in support staff wages, utilities and replacement costs.
Brennan said trustees are concerned about parents’ ability to find daycare for the additional four days as well as the interruption of food programs provided in schools, but the district could look into alternate ways to deliver the programs.
Another concern is the district’s support workers, who would lose four days’ pay, he added.
“We hope in the end we’ll be able to keep more people working as a result of the savings,” said Brennan.
Ron Farino, president of CUPE Local 606, said if approved, the extended break would hurt his members because they are paid on an hourly basis.
“They’re some of the lowest paid employees of the district and they’re the ones taking the hit to balance the budget,” he said. “A lot of them have second jobs to try to make ends meet. Every hour counts toward supporting your family.”
