Port Alberni avoids school closures, but it means fewer teachers and fewer classes:
Alberni Valley News: Teachers protest ADSS cuts
April 15, 2010
Wawmeesh Hamilton – Alberni Valley News
At-risk students at Alberni District Secondary School will be impacted most by looming budget cutbacks, teachers said Tuesday at the school board’s regular meeting.
More than 40 teachers, staff and students crowded into AW Neill Middle School’s library to make their point to trustees. Read article
Alberni Valley News: Teacher layoffs coming to School District 70
Published: January 25, 2010
School closures have been avoided in School District 70, but there will subsequently be fewer teachers and classes in schools, superintendent Cam Pinkerton said.
The announcement was made to a crowd of more than 40 who gathered at Alberni Elementary school last Tuesday to listen as the district discussed measures it’s taking to wrestle down its $1.5-million deficit.
When asked about the effect of increasing the teacher-student ratio, Pinkerton replied that “There will be nine fewer teachers in one year: five to six at ADSS, two at VAST and two at USS,” he said. “Administration will be adjusted as well, and there will be one fewer in 2010.”
Classes with only five to six students in them aren’t sustainable and will be ceased, Pinkerton said. As well, the number of teachers who support students but don’t teach a class will also be trimmed back.
The cuts will from increasing the student-teacher ratio is expected to save $750,000, Pinkerton said.
At the secondary school level, the number of students per staff in School District 70 is lower than the Island average of 22.5:1 to 25:1, Pinkerton said.
After the measures take effect, ADSS will go from its current 17-1 to 20-1, and VAST will from 26-1 to 29-1.
Cuts to teachers are over representative, and should be counterbalanced by further cuts to administration, said Alberni District Teacher’s Union president Ken Zydyk.
“Four teachers have been impacted so far and a number of CUPE members have had their hours reduced,” Zydyk said. “The school district has the chance to reduce three administrative vacancies by next year and they should step up to the plate.”
