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: educ.minister@gov.bc.ca
Premier Christy Clark:  premier@gov.bc.ca

VSB trustees  emails:
Mike Lombardi  mike.lombardi@vsb.bc.ca
Allan Wong  allan.wong@vsb.bc.ca
Janet Fraser  Janet.fraser@vsb.bc.ca
Fraser Ballantyne  fraser.ballantyne@vsb.bc.ca
Christopher Richardson  christopher.richardson@vsb.bc.ca
Joy Alexander  joy.alexander@vsb.bc.ca
Patti Bacchus  patti.bacchus@vsb.bc.ca
Joy Alexander  joy.alexander@vsb.bc.ca
Penny Noble  penny.noble@vsb.bc.ca
Stacy Robertson  stacy.robertson@vsb.bc.ca
MLA emails:
Hon. Suzanne Anton: Vancouver-Fraserview  suzanne.anton.MLA@leg.bc.ca
George Heyman: Vancouver-Fairview  george.heyman.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Sam Sullivan: Vancouver-False Creek  sam.sullivan.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Shane Simpson: Vancouver-Hastings  shane.simpson.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Mable Elmore: Vancouver-Kensington  mable.elmore.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Adrian Dix: Vancouver-Kingsway  adrian.dix.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Dr. Moira Stilwell: Vancouver-Langara  moira.stilwell.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Melanie Mark: Vancouver-Mount Pleasant  melanie.mark.mla@leg.bc.ca
David Eby: Vancouver-Point Grey  david.eby.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Hon: Andrew Wilkinson: Vancouver-Quilchena  andrew.wilkinson.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Spencer Chandra Herbert: Vancouver-West End  s.chandraherbert.MLA@leg.bc.ca

​Opposition education critic email: rob.fleming.mla@leg.bc.ca