Letter illustrates district’s funding challenges
The letter sent by School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria) to Minister of Education Peter Fassbender is likely to be quietly filed away in his office.
But because it was printed in Black Press community newspapers last week, it will get the attention it deserves from citizens who care about quality public education.
It is a very meaningful letter because it informs us of the challenges that our public school district faces each year, and addresses Minister Fassbender’s assertion that “public school underfunding is a myth.”
It also addresses Premier Clark’s assertion that there is still “low hanging fruit to pick.”
The letter carefully outlines the findings of the district-wide survey and it is impressive that all of the district’s partner groups were involved in the survey, and signed the letter.
Each June, like all school board trustees around the province, our trustees must submit a balanced budget and they do so.
But this letter to Minister Fassbender clearly outlines the consequences of funding shortfalls in our school district, particularly for those special-needs students who require one-on-one attention to be successful learners in our schools.
Starla Anderson, Ed.D.
Retired educator and advocate
Saanich