SD #91 (Nechako Lakes) faces a $3.8 million shortfall for 2010-11, including an estimated $1.3 million in unfunded new costs. The budget crisis has prompted proposals to close more schools, though critics say this will create new problems, including larger classes, over-crowded schools and long travel times for students in communities set to lose their only school.
News reports
Houston Today: 57 layoff notices sent out to nothern BC teachers
June 9, 2010
Rebecca Billard, Lakes District News
Ray LeMoigne, superintendent of schools for School District 91 recently announced that the school district has issued layoff notifications to teachers in the district with five years seniority or less.
The layoff notices were issued on May 31 and effect a total of 57 teachers district wide.
Ernie Mannering, director of instruction for School District 91 said, “This is the highest layoff notification level in recent memory.” Read more
HQPrinceGeorge.com: School district 91 to issue layoff notices
May 28, 2010
Vanderhoof, B.C.-School District 91 will make approximately 75 cuts to its teaching staff by the end of this month.
Layoff notifications will be handed out to teachers with five years seniority or less by May 31st.
Director of Instruction Ernie Mannering says job vacancies within the District should be posted next month, enabling the District to hire back some of the teachers. Read more
Vanderhoof Omineca Express: Who to blame?
May 11, 2010
If you want to point fingers of blame towards anyone regarding last week’s board of education decision to close Muriel Mould Primary school (MMPS), then point them towards the provincial government.
After all, it is the government that is the source of the funding cuts to school districts across the province.
To take funding away from education is, for want of a better word, an abomination. Our children are our future. Their education should be paramount.
The board, who have taken all the phone calls, listened to parents and staff at meetings, read all the letters and e-mails from angry and concerned citizens have had a very difficult and unpleasant decision thrust towards them.
I wonder if education minister, Margaret MacDiarmid really knows how much sadness and frustration the decision to close MMPS has brought to the local community.
MMPS has been an integral part of the local community since Nov. 19, 1976. Read more
Burns Lake Lakes District News: Board announces closure of MMPS
Rebecca Billard – Burns Lake Lakes District News
May 4, 2010
Ray LeMoigne, superintendent of schools for School District 91 choked back tears as he discussed the reasons behind the school board making a decision to close Muriel Mould Primary school (MMPS) during last week’s public board meeting.
A large number of concerned local residents turned up to the board meeting, which was held at MMPS. Read more
Vanderhoof Omineca Express: Board approves closure of elementary school
May 4, 2010
On Thursday April 29, 2010, the Board of Education of School District No. 91 (Nechako Lakes) held a special public meeting in Burns Lake at 6:30 p.m., at Muriel Mould Primary School. There were two items on the agenda, including the proposal to close Decker Lake Elementary School, and the proposal to close Muriel Mould Primary School. Read more
Burns Lake District News: Why is a brand new, full capacity, highly functioning school being considered for closure?
April 27, 2010
Carmelle Clovis – letter to the editor
We were naturally shocked when the news of the proposed closure of Decker Lake Elementary School was pulled out of the hat at the April 20 school board meeting.
Decker Lake school does not fit any of the categories of consideration for closure outlined in the Feb. 15, 2010 Budget Reduction Proposal…Read more
Vanderhoof Omineca Express: School district 91 budget reductions approved
Crystal Carpenter – Vanderhoof Omineca Express
April 27, 2010
The School District 91 board approved total budget reductions of nearly $3 million on April 19.
The board has decided to defer consideration of the proposals to close Topley Elementary School and Muriel Mould Primary School, while after considerable debate, the motion to close Decker Lake Elementary School was passed. Read more
Burns Lake Lakes District News: School closure meeting well attended
March 9, 2010
By Rebecca Billard – Burns Lake Lakes District News
All seats were filled at last weeks public consultation between the School District 91 board and community stake-holders, teachers, parents and students.
The meeting held at Muriel Mould Primary school (MMPS) provided the opportunity for community response to the recent announcement of the proposed closure of MMPS and also the proposed budget cuts for School District 91.
Ray LeMoigne, superintendent of schools for School District 91 presented a power point presentation explaining how the board had arrived at the decision to cut items from the budget and to potentially close both MMPS and Topley Elementary school (TES).
LeMoigne explained that due to the anticipated 2010 Government budget cuts that there was a projected budget shortfall of $3.8 million dollars.
“You can’t take $3.8 million dollars out of the budget and not have an impact on programs, services and people,” he said. Read more
Contact Local MLAs
MLA John Rustad, Nechako Lakes (BC Liberal Party)
- Email: john.rustad.mla@leg.bc.ca
- Vanderhoof office: PO Box 421, 183 First Street, Vanderhoof, V0J3A0; Telephone (toll free): 1 877 964-5650
- Houston office: PO Box 1142, 2500 Butler Avenue, Houston, V0J 1Z0, Telephone: 250 845-7770
