SD#83 Board Chair Bobbi Johnson warned parents in an open letter on March 1 that the district faced a budget shortfall of $1.6 million. The district was forced to close the only school in Malakwa and to cut other core programs to balance its budget to compensate for provincial underfunding.
News
Salmon Arm Observer: Abbott heads to hot-button post
October 26, 2010
Shuswap MLA George Abbott is certainly one of Premier Gordon Campbell’s go-to guys.
After some years as head of the Ministry of Health, Abbott was shifted into a very delicate position as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and reconciliation. Now, he has been juggled over to another potentially hot-button position as Minister of Education….
There’s no doubt Abbott is going to be facing some tough questions from constituents, like those in Malakwa, who have endured a school closure and now must watch their children board a bus for the elementary school in Sicamous if they are to remain in the public education system.
Rumours of additional school closures continue to dog School District #83 as they, and other school districts throughout the province, continue to battle with providing quality education with ever-tightening budgets. Read more
Sicamous Valley News: Abbott shuffled from aboriginal relations to education
October 26, 2010
George Abbott is now at the head of the class.
The veteran Shuswap MLA has been appointed education minister by Premier Gordon Campbell.
“I’m very excited. There will be daunting challenges but it will be rewarding,” he said.
A former teacher, Abbott says only the premier could clarify specifically as to why he was named education minister….
Many school districts have expressed concerns in recent years that provincial funding has not kept up with the cost of running schools. In the Vernon district, a $2.1 million deficit led to extensive cuts earlier thus year, while it was $1.6 million in North Okanagan-Shuswap.
Abbott defends the government’s record.
“I don’t believe we are under-funded in B.C.,” he said.
“The government has put an emphasis on education funding.”… Read more
School district cancels gifted class
Martha Wickett – Salmon Arm Observer
June 8, 2010
The gifted classroom at Ranchero school will close its doors at the end of June, to be replaced in September by a different method of delivering support for gifted students.
The decision has left parents of the eight students in the class disappointed, while school district administration say it will be a more equitable way to deliver service in light of budget constraints. Read more
District takes axe to spending
Vernon Morning Star
May 15, 2010
Teachers are adamant that budget cuts will negatively impact classrooms and students.
The North Okanagan-Shuswap School District has trimmed expenses as a way of absorbing an almost $1 million shortfall for 2010/11.
“Classes will be maxed and there will be more students with special needs in classrooms because there’s no where to put them,” said Lynda Bennett, North Okanagan-Shuswap Teachers Association president.
“There will be less custodial support so classes won’t be as clean.” Read more
Jobs on chopping block for district
Vernon Morning Star
February 18, 2010
The bad news is overpowering the good news during budget discussions at the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District.
On the good news front, secretary-treasurer Bruce Hunt said the province decided to reimburse school districts the PST portion of the HST.
However, with other costing done, Hunt says it looks like their deficit will be over $1.6 million instead of the earlier prediction of $1.4 million. Read article
Contact local MLA
MLA George Abbott, Shuswap (BC Liberal & Minister of Education)
- Email: george.abbott.mla@leg.bc.ca
- Constituency office: 202A – 371 Alexander Street NE, Box 607, Salmon Arm, V1E 4N7, Telephone: 250 833-7414
