We have a very interesting situation developing between the Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers’ Association (CCTA) and the School District #27 board of trustees.
After holding a meeting on Oct. 3, the local teachers’ union executive unanimously voted in support of a motion of non-confidence in the school district school board’s and sent a press release to the 100 Mile House Free Press on Oct. 4.
CCTA president Murray Helmer noted several concerns his executive has seen from the school board in the past few months and they are noted on the front page of this edition of the Free Press.
The issues are interesting in the few ways and most certainly they involve issues the general public wouldn’t be aware of because the complaints would likely have been dealt with behind closed doors.
However, it appears those working within the system are concerned about some decisions made at the board level.
The CCTA is obviously concerned about the way the school board has handled the sudden resignation of former Superintendent Mark Thiessen only a few weeks prior to the new school year.
Helmer charged that the board didn’t supply seamless change of leadership and instead indicated its desire to have a series of three interim superintendents appointed over the course of the year before interviewing candidates for the permanent position next spring.
Rather the CCTA suggested moving the current assistant superintendent into the superintendent’s position would have provided stability and continuity.
The teachers union leadership is also critical of the board for failing to provide reasonable set of conditions so the current assistant superintendent could have assumed the duties.
The CCTA also voiced concerns about the board “violating” its own policies as it restructures school district operations.
However, the CCTA also voiced concerns about the school board’s operations that affect the teaching staff and students.
Ultimately, it also affects the students’ parents and other partners in the education system.
Helmer notes the school district’s audited financial statement shows the board has an operating fund surplus of $3.7 million.
The CCTA has concerns about cuts being made to several educational services that contributed $1.7 million to the overall operating fund surplus.
Helmer notes that money could have been used to address needs that schools had identified throughout the school year.
A pittance of that money could have been used to keep Bridge Lake Elementary School open at least for another year, so parents could have had the opportunity to attract more students to attend the school.
Instead the board pled budget shortfalls and bulldozed through the school closure.
It will be interesting to watch this story unfold.
