VSB proposed budget - time for action!

The Vancouver School Board issued it's 2016/17 preliminary budget plan on March 31. Due to an estimated $27M shortfall, many significant cuts are proposed. Over 200 positions are on the chopping block and many students will be affected.

Some cuts that might get you fired up ... the entire elementary Strings Program, cuts in Arts & Athletics funding, some Special Needs consultants and teacher mentors, huge cuts to the Gifted Programs (including challenge centre teachers, the gifted mentor, and a psychologist). The proposed budget can be found here.

What can you do?

1. Parents and students can write letters to the VSB and VSB trustees (trustee email addresses are below), sharing their stories of what Strings, Gifted Education,  Special Needs support, etc  means to them and their children.  budget2016_2017@vsb.bc.ca
2. Parents and students should also write letters to their MLAs, Premier Christy Clark, and the Minister of Education. It is time to stand up for public education in BC! Please cc the VSB trustees when you send these letters. Mike Bernier: educ.minister@gov.bc.ca, Christy Clark:  premier@gov.bc.ca (you will also find MLA addresses at the bottom of this email)
3. Parents and students can sign up to speak at the April 12 public hearing.  (Email: budget2016-2017@vsb.bc.ca if you wish to register to present at this meeting.)
4. Parents and students can simply show up at the hearing with signs and support
5. Show Up for BC  Education! Public Input meeting:  Tuesday April 12 at 6pm at Mt Pleasant elementary School (a second meeting will be held on April 14 if needed)
6. Share this info   with parents at other Vancouver schools

It is time for action ... please write a letter and speak to others about it. The ball is rolling ...
Thanks for the support!

A "not so fun" fact:
The average BC annual funding per student is $12,133 whereas the Canadian average is $12,377. This difference would be about $17M annually in the Vancouver School Board alone (getting close to the $27M shortfall!).

Gifted Education: 
Marlene Rodgers:  marleneprodgers@gmail.com    is the point person for parent mobilization for gifted education. 

VSB Trustee addresses:
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 email addresses:
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