Posted by Mission students are waging protests around school district budget cuts planned for next year.
As many as 70 youth waving bright coloured placards got honks of support from passing motorists after gathering outside Mission’s Heritage Park Secondary School last Thursday afternoon.
The teens were demonstrating against teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, fewer course choices and recent elementary school closures.
Grade 11 students Clinton Large and Kylie Harmatuik helped organize the protest after attending Mission Public Schools information meeting on the 2010/11 preliminary budget on Wednesday night.
Clinton said protesting students are particularly concerned about impending teacher layoffs.
As a means to deal with a projected $ 1 million deficit come June of this year, the district is planning to lay off the equivalent of 14 full-time teachers who have less than eight years seniority.
Eight secretaries, seven educational assistants (EAs) and four youth care workers (YCWs) will also get the axe.
“We’re losing eight great teachers. Some will be hired back, but some will be gone for sure,” said Clinton, adding students’ education will suffer as a result.
Youth at risk and with disabilities will also feel the loss of EAs and YCWs, he added. District superintendent Frank Dunham said the reductions to the budget, including staff layoffs, are the result of drops in enrolment and provincial funding.
Staff salaries and benefits account for more than 90 per cent of MPS district expenditures, he noted.
The district must also accommodate increased spending for implementing the new middle school model in Mission, maintaining facilities and meeting kindergarten classroom and equipment costs, he said.
It’s expected the middle school model will provide for students needing more personalized support from teachers, and increased class choices can be partly addressed by increasing the use of virtual courses over the Internet.
It’s understandable students are upset over the loss of teachers they’ve developed relationships with, said Dunham.
The student protest could be seen as a positive rather than negative sign, he said.
“We were encouraged to see students come out to a budget meeting . . . The goal of our education system is to see young people emerge who are prepared to participate in a democratic society.”
The Mission school district budget will be passed at the board of education meeting scheduled for June 21.
RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
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