There have been several news stories and information released regarding funding and education in our District and Province recently. Allow us to help you navigate that information.
- A good news story about new Board Authorized Courses for our District as discussed at the Education Programs and Planning Committee Meeting on January 21. A report outlining the details is in our February 3 DPAC Meeting Minutes here.
- There have been discussions about a teacher shortage in Prince George for some time but this is the first year that classrooms are experiencing vacancies. Listen to Prince George District Teachers Association (PGDTA) President Joanne Hapke explain.
- Prince George District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) Chair Andrea Beckett was asked to join a panel including Joanne Hapke (PGDTA) and Joanna Larsen (Prince Rupert parent and BCTF activist) on CFIS FM “After Nine – Monday Edition” with Stuart Parker on February 3. We brought a parent voice to the discussion on teacher shortages and funding issues.
- We had a lengthy discussion about the BC Ministry of Education’s proposed Funding Model with MLA Shirley Bond at our January 6 DPAC Meeting, details in the Minutes here. Little information was released following the Independent Review Panel releasing its list of 22 recommendations outlined in this report from 2018.
- Last Friday February 7th, Rob Flemming Minister of Education announced supplement funding allocated for programs such as: Tuition Waiver Program for former youth in care to attend post-secondary or trades; TogetherBC a poverty reduction strategy; and Pathway to Hope, a 10 year mental health plan; and further support for indigenous education. This is the News Release, CKPG clip including reaction from Tim Bennett School Board Chair, and article from the Prince George Citizen.
- There is more information on the BC Government website in regards to the history of the Review and how the Funding Model will be implemented.
- The Throne Speech was Tuesday Feb. 11. The NDP Government will release their Budget next Tuesday Feb 18. We watch to see how much will be allocated to Public Education in BC. Then on March 15 the Ministry of Education will release budget amounts for each District in the Province and our School Board will provide comment on what the changes will mean for us locally.
Anytime you have questions and need help navigating the system, come to our monthly DPAC Meeting on the first Monday of each month. Representatives from the School Board, Senior Administration, Teachers Association, Principals, and CUPE all meet with us to talk in depth about issues and initiatives affecting our children. Email us anytime at exec@sd57dpac.ca.
School District No. 57 District Parent Advisory Council Executive