Skip to content

Class queries linger on

Editor: It was disappointing to hear the Surrey Board of Education had cancelled their meeting.
web1_170426-PAN-M-ThinkstockPhotos-78252848--1-

Editor:

It is disappointing to hear that the Surrey Board of Education had cancelled their public board meeting scheduled for June 22.

The last board meeting was well-attended, and many parents, community members, union members, both CUPE Local 728 and the Surrey Teachers Association, had questions for the board. Parents were concerned about the cut in hours for ABA (applied behaviour analysis) support workers and how these cuts were going to affect their students and new ones coming into kindergarten.

The STA questioned the BOE on a privacy issue related to the cut in LST (learner support team) teachers. The cut in LST teachers also means education assistant positions will be reduced in the LST programs.

Parents were also concerned with the re-configuration of the Sunnyside music/band program.

Cancelling the meeting meant the public will not have a year-end update on the class size/composition ruling and what it might look like in September for students, parents and staff.

I understand it is a work in progress, however the public needs to be updated on a regular basis. As most know, computer rooms, music rooms and other space is being seconded for classrooms in many schools.

The next public board meeting is Sept. 20. The citizens of Surrey should not have to wait three months for the opportunity to hear or ask questions about the state of public education in Surrey.

Charlene Dobie, Surrey