Public input requested by the Vancouver School Board
Please see the attached posters from the VSB laying out a series of drop in sessions and workshops around the city over the next six weeks or so, seeking public input on the long range facilities plan before it is finalized in June. This plan will set a fifteen year process in motion to complete the remaining seismic upgrades and “re-size” or close some schools so that at the end of that time the district will be operating at an average of 95% capacity, a number set by the provincial ministry of education as part of their criteria for ongoing seismic upgrade funding.
At this point, Hudson is on the priority list for the next round of seismic upgrades, and is currently, like most downtown and Kitsilano schools, at over 100% capacity. However, the school board trustees and planning staff encourage us to take part in the public consultation as they attempt to work out this reconfiguration of the school district without adversely impacting the quality of education. As the planning process gets closer to proposals to close specific schools, to “repurpose” underutilized buildings for lease to community groups, etc., parents are in the best position to make sure the board is informed about impacts on particular neighbourhoods, or local needs that could be addressed. As an average of 95% capacity will mean some schools will operate at over 100% capacity, information from parents about the issues experienced at over-filled schools such as ours would also be helpful even this early on in the process.
If you are interested in knowing more, please check out the VSB website at https://www.vsb.bc.ca/VSBengagement. You are welcome to attend any of the sessions described on the poster, regardless of what area of the city you are in. Some translation services will be provided at these events as well.
Every five years the VSB goes through a long-term visioning process to develop a strategic plan to set priorities; the current plan finishes in 2016 and the Board is also in the midst of public consultation to develop the next plan to run through 2021. As the attached flyer indicates, the Board’s abilities to provide all the other resources necessary for inclusive, accessible education for all students dovetails somewhat with the long range facilities plan. Please visit www.vsb.bc.ca/VSB2021 for full details.
Finally, details of the development process around the VSB’s budget for the coming school year, including public consultation, can be found at http://www.vsb.bc.ca/20162017-budget. Based on the level of education funding in the recent provincial budget, VSB staff are estimating a shortfall on the order of $24 million for the 2016-2017 academic year. As the trustees are legally required to submit a balanced budget to the province, there are some tough decisions ahead re cutting costs. A preliminary budget will be released to the public at 5:30 pm on Thursday March 31, with opportunities for public input at board committee meetings on April 12, 14 and 25; details are on the website.
Any parents interested in learning more about ongoing collaborative advocacy work by parents to support quality public education, or in getting involved in such work, are encouraged to connect with the Parent Advocacy Network (www.panvancouver.ca) or Families Against Cuts to Education (https://facebc.wordpress.com/).
Alan Patola Moosmann is Hudson’s representative to the District Parent Advisory Council, which is another channel for parent input to the VSB on all these issues, and would also be happy to hear any concerns you have and brainstorm about how best to pass them on. Please feel free to contact Alan at apatola@telus.net, or by phone at 604-736-8596.
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We are the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) of a public elementary school located in the heart of Vancouver, BC.