to ee ae Page 20 December Cassiar Courier ParentS VOICE CONCELMS. cosimesiomree: What allowances would be stopped and why wait three days for further action? What action could the Board have taken after 3 days? Why were Grades 11 & 12 and 6 & 7 singled out for instruction? Since principals were required to provide for the sec- urity of the building and the safety of the children on the first day, why were the children not allowed in- to Snowridge Elementary School? Was the School Board vehicle used to keep picketers warm? What did the Board feel about the effect on a child when the principal turns that child away at the door? How will lost time be made up? Have teachers received direction from the Board on how to make up the lost time? What is the ruling regarding the number of hours a teacher is required to be at the school? What is the Board doing to protect cutbacks? Was any concern expressed by parents when the gov- ernment required a six day shutdown earlier this year? Who shouldered the burden when time had to be made up then? Why were non-qualified volunteers not acceptable during the strike when subs are not always qualified? What was the Board’s position regarding non-teaching staff on the picket line? What could have been done to get other qualified teachers into the school? Will children have to redo work they did at home? Why had some teachers refused to mark work done at home during the strike and some students had been told that parents had to mark this? What can parents do if they are not happy with text books or curriculum — elementary grades math books were of particular concern. PAS as aa as W.S.T.P authorBed agent for Radio Shack wishes each and everp one of pou a bverp Merry Christmas and a Happy New Wear. HOURS Monday to Saturday—10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11th & 18th—1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24th—10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31st—Regular Hours tam tate The letters informing parents of events were sent from Snowridge Elementary School on Monday, November 7, not November 4, as stated. Some teachers have not corrected all work — will this affect report cards? The priority of the School Board and administration should be the education of the children. During the withdrawal of services it seems more emphasis was placed on teacher requests and needs and preserving teacher harmony than on students needs and feelings. There was a definite lack of communication between the Board and the parents. Most parents are concerned about the educational cut backs and shutdowns. The most outraged group when the Government forced a shutdown was the B.C.T.F. How could the teachers then support a further with- drawal of services. The fact that the Government did it does not make the action right. Parents also shared the burden for catching up after the last shutdown by supervising the huge quantities of homework sent home during the Christmas and spring breaks. The deteriorated condition of the textbooks and skill packs was brought to the attention of the Board. The Board was commended for the fine way in which they managed the budget during the recent cutbacks. The Board members, Sherry Sethen and Dave Pew- sey, Owen Corcoran, Superintendent, Dick Chambers, Assistant Superintendent, and Don Best, Secretary-trea- surer, addressed the concerns and opinions expressed above in the following manner: First of all, it was pointed out that the legality of the strike has not been proven. The B.C.T.F. disputes the fact that it is illegal. The Board contends that the strike is considered to be of three days duration since only three instruction- al days were missed. The Board has withdrawn pay for these three days. Administration, L.T.S. and Isolation Allowance were also withheld. It was decid- ed by the Board not to withhold housing allowance for the first three days because they felt that the teachers would return to work voluntarily within that time limit and that this might be an added incentive. Once that decision was made it was adhered to. The payment of a Statutory Holiday was not a concern as the legality of the contract is based on the number of days the teachers are required to be in the classroom. The Board did apply for a court injunction at the earliest time — travel caused a delay. A course of action had not been decided upon had the strike con- tinued. Within the context of the School Act the Board could have applied for decertification of the teachers. Another option would have been to take away social benefits. Any decisions would have been made by the School Board at a meeting. The Board regretted that children were not allowed into the Snowridge Elementary school on the first day of the strike. Mrs. Sethen said that she felt that the principal made a judgement call as to how to look after the children in the most expedient manner. The Board had hoped there would be a couple of teachers at Snowridge but, as it turned out, all teachers at this school withdrew their services. His actions will be dis- cussed at a Board meeting. The grades chosen for instruction were the top two grades in each school. Because of provincial exams, particularly in the senior grades, a priority was placed on these grades. Since not a great many students showed up for the secondary program, on the 4th day of the strike that program would have been cancelled and Grades 4 & 5 would have received instruction in- stead. A notice had been put out to this effect. Teachers will make up lost work as they did after the last shutdown. The Board had not issued any direct- ives on the matter since they feel that the teachers, as professionals, would guarantee that the children would not be affected by the strike. During the Gov- ernment shutdown parents did express concern about their children. The Board has gone the political route regarding cut- backs. Letters have been sent to the Minister of Educ- ation by the Board, School District administration and Mr. Lanphear. Sherry had made personal repres- entation to Victoria. In the meantime, the Board has made the necessary cuts in such places as would in- sure that not one teacher would be laid off. During the recent strike, non-teaching staff were ex- pected to report to work. If they did not cross the picket line, they were regarded as absent without pay. No distinction was made as to whether they could be on the picket line or not. The Board feels that unqualified substitute teachers are acceptable because programs are clearly set up for them to follow and there is qualified staff in the build- ing should assistance be required. In the case of the strike, lesson programs were not available for the vol- unteers and, therefore, it was felt that qualified teach- ers would be needed to set up these programs. Owen Corcoran will look into the question of wheth- er or not the teachers are marking work done by the children during the strike. He assured everyone pre- sent that the top priority of the Board had been to provide education for the children and regretted that any parent would feel that the teachers had been the priority. Teachers are required to be at school 15 minutes be- fore school starts, 15 minutes at lunch time and 30 minutes after school is out. The time teachers spend in additional preparation is left to their dis- cretion and is done either at home or school. Mrs. Sethen stressed that every effort had been made to publically announce what programs were being of- fered. She was interviewed four times by CBC White- horse and specifically asked them to announce at every opportunity the programs being offered, even if the interviews were not used. Unfortunately, she was not aware that they were not doing so. Dick Chambers said that his vehicle had been parked on Zimmerman while he was at the school. At no time had he allowed it to be used to warm up picket- ers and neither had his wife. He does pay for the personal use of this vehicle. Since this was the first withdrawal of service in the District there was no previous plan of action for the Board to follow. In the event of any future work stoppage, the Board would take note of the lessons learned while experiencing this strike and would hope to be able to eliminate many of the problems en- countered, : Regarding complaints about curriculum — math books in particular — Dick pointed out that the Math curriculum was under review. The books provided are used throughout the Province. Owen pointed out that three texts are provided for each grade and the teach- ers normally draw from all three and do not follow the program in just one book. The teachers had not complained but the Board would note the parents concerns and look into the matter. In the meantime, parents could approach the appropriate teacher with any concerns they may have about the curriculum. sys; SSeS yes Sys See Spa es é ft In an interview after the meeting, Mrs. Sethen stated aN that she feels some positive things have come out of the meeting. In regard to the strike, Sherry felt that the in people present realized it was a no win situation. In view i BOO P &\ : ] weer ] ve of this, though several people were not happy with events, rN they were not so displeased as to not understand why cer- MA Pp: EKSSO SER\ ] ICE ST ‘ATION tain decisions were made. Sherry thought that the Board A had definitely learned the importance of communication a HOLIDAY HOURS although she wasn’t sure what more could have been done In case of any future withdrawal of services, she has in ; 28719 Dec. 31 9:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. drawn up a list of suggestions which will be discussed care- i a oN aoe ReSiece 5 rate Jan. 1 —- CLOSED fully at the next Board Meeting on December 11th. AN : She also said it was good to find that people are not 3 only concerned about the curriculum but also volunteered a PPS USAT ie Ue ie Ue ee O SUS Us HME AshAss to take part in any action necessary. to change it.