Advocate for public education in BC: Time for action - letter writing campaign

The VSB published the 2016/17 preliminary budget on March 31. Due to an estimated $27M shortfall, many significant cuts are proposed. These cuts affect students in all schools and all grades.

Items of significance include (but are not limited to):
* reduce each school's “Flexible Budget” by 20% - these funds are given on a per student basis and are used for furniture, library resources, equipment, program support and other items (Tennyson will need to run on 20% less funds).
* complete elimination of elementary band and strings program
* significant reduction to Special Education Support as well as Gifted Support (including testing)
* significant reduction in Non-Enrolling Staffing - these staff provide services in the areas of ELL, special education, aboriginal and library.  

The Public Input meetings were held last week and the VSB trustees  have  heard the messages shared by parents and students. Many, many, many parents and students spoke passionately about the proposed cuts.

What now?

Momentum seems to be building in BC ... parents and students across the province are speaking up to the government about  the lack of funding for public education in BC.
BC has  the second lowest annual funding per student in all of Canada.

What can you do? 

Please  write to the Minister of Education & Christy Clark  and cc the VSB trustees and your MLA as well as the Opposition Education Critic  (emails are provided below).  
Here is a sample letter -  you may use it as is (update your name and address). It's recommended that each parent send their own letter and please share with family and friends as well.

Here is a letter that one of our Gr 7 students sent to the government. A "softer" version of it was published by the Vancouver Sun. Encourage your children to write as well.

It is time to put pressure on the government. Please help on behalf of everyone in BC - we  will all  benefit from increased funding for public education in BC.

Thank you for the support! Happy letter writing.

Mr Bernier - Minister of Education: [email protected]
Premier Christy Clark:  [email protected]

VSB trustees  emails:
Mike Lombardi  [email protected]
Allan Wong  [email protected]
Janet Fraser  [email protected]
Fraser Ballantyne  [email protected]
Christopher Richardson  [email protected]
Joy Alexander  [email protected]
Patti Bacchus  [email protected]
Joy Alexander  [email protected]
Penny Noble  [email protected]
Stacy Robertson  [email protected]
MLA emails:
Hon. Suzanne Anton: Vancouver-Fraserview  [email protected]
George Heyman: Vancouver-Fairview  [email protected]
Sam Sullivan: Vancouver-False Creek  [email protected]
Shane Simpson: Vancouver-Hastings  [email protected]
Mable Elmore: Vancouver-Kensington  [email protected]
Adrian Dix: Vancouver-Kingsway  [email protected]
Dr. Moira Stilwell: Vancouver-Langara  [email protected]
Melanie Mark: Vancouver-Mount Pleasant  [email protected]
David Eby: Vancouver-Point Grey  [email protected]
Hon: Andrew Wilkinson: Vancouver-Quilchena  [email protected]
Spencer Chandra Herbert: Vancouver-West End  [email protected]

​Opposition education critic email: [email protected]