The excitement of the first day of a new school year throughout Delta and across the province was instead filled with frustration and disappointment.
Teachers and school support workers were back on the picket line Tuesday morning instead of welcoming students for a new school year as the contract dispute
between the province and the B.C. Teachers' Federation continues.
And there doesn't appear to be an end in sight.
District superintendent Dianne Turner confirmed the news to parents in a letter Monday.
"With schools behind picket lines, there will be no instruction and no support staff/CUPE members on site. While school buildings will be open, only principals and vice-principals will be in the
buildings. Since staff will not be available to provide adequate supervision or instruction, we ask parents to not send their children to school and to make alternative childcare arrangements as needed," Turner stated.
"I think we're all feeling frustrated," teacher Graham Harkley said outside Delta Secondary. "We really don't see a solution."
Harkley said he was "massively disappointed" when mediator Vince Ready walked away from negotiations over the weekend because the two sides were too far apart.
Turner also expressed disappointment that a deal could not be reached in time for school to start on schedule.
"I had truly hoped that students would be able to start school today. It is unfortunate that negotiations between BCPSEA and BCTF were unsuccessful over the weekend. I am,
however, remaining optimistic that a negotiated settlement will be achieved soon, enabling our schools to reopen," she said. "Our district is ready to open whenever a deal is reached.
One Ladner Elementary teacher, who has more than 40 years experience in the classroom, said she has never seen the situation this bad.
"I have never in my life of 40-plus years of teaching been locked out by my employers," she said, adding the only reason she is still teaching is because of her
students. "I'm here because of the kids ... It never has been about wages," she said. "It's never been about the money."
Harkley and fellow DSS teacher Jinny Peters echoed those sentiments, saying it's a much bigger issue than just wages and benefits - teachers are fighting for more funding for education.
"That's really just a much bigger deal," Harkley said.
Also frustrated, Delta Teachers' Association president Paul Steer said the public is beginning to understand that teachers are the reliable voices when it comes to the true circumstances
of public education.
Steer noted the average teacher in B.C. has sacrificed over $6,500 in gross salary, showing their intent to have proper class size and composition for kids.
He also reiterated BCTF president Jim Iker's call for Premier Christy Clark to get involved in the talks.
The premier via Twitter noted the BCTF rejected the government's offer to reopen schools while the two sides enter mediation. Education Minister Peter Fassbender has stated the government is not going to legislate a contract.
Parents and students were also rallying Tuesday to
push for an agreement.
In Ladner, parents and children gathered outside MLA Vicki Huntington's office. Organizer Janet Priebe said she felt the need to do something.
"Teachers really care about their students," she said.
Priebe, whose youngest should have started kindergarten yesterday, added she feels teachers are not being taken seriously.
"We just want to see an end to it."
Victoria notes parents with eligible children can register for their $40 per day parent support payment at http://bcparentinfo.ca/.
