The lack of funding in the Delta school district was the prevailing theme at an all-candidates debate for school board hopefuls Monday evening.
Nineteen of the 20 running in this month's municipal election took part in the debate at Genesis Theatre in Ladner. Organized by the Delta District Parent Advisory Council, Delta Teachers' Association and CUPE, almost all the questions posed by the groups as well as those in attendance dealt with the chronic underfunding of the education system.
One of those queries faced by candidates was what they consider the biggest challenge for teachers today.
Incumbent Janet Shauntz said she thinks it's the lack of special education funding, adding the district is "underfunded and up against it."
Fellow incumbent Brenda Bennett-Schneider agreed, saying she believes it's class composition, not size, that poses the biggest challenge.
Val Windsor also said support for teachers with special needs students is the biggest challenge.
More than 16 per cent of Delta teachers have four or more students with special needs, she said, adding the full costs of having an educational assistant is not adequately covered.
Saying the school board is totally dependant on provincial funding, Andy Basi said the biggest challenge is a fiscal one for teachers who need the resources to do their work.
"So it's vital that they come together, all stakeholders in the education system and try to prioritize projects and initiatives according to the benefits of the school district. The conversation must not only focus not on how many dollars we get but how those dollars are wisely spent," Basi said.
When asked about how to better engage the growing South Asian population, particularly in North Delta, Donna Burke, who was on the Delta South Asian Support Initiative, said funding is needed for translation services to better communicate with parents.
A question from CUPE asked whether candidates believed maintaining a clean environment was important to student success, an obvious reminder how custodial services have been trimmed due to budget constraints in recent years.
Carol Johnson said elementary principals are finding themselves having to clean up vomit or board up broken windows because no custodial staff are available during the school day.
Incumbent Simon Truelove said what people need to understand is the board has been trying to avoid direct cuts to the classroom.
"It's a lot easier for a board to cut a custodial position than, for example, an EA who is working with a special needs child. I don't think this is OK at all, it's an awful thing and really, we need more funding to make this educational system work," said Truelove.
WHAT TRUSTEE CANDIDATES HAD TO SAY
Here is selection of quotes from Monday's Delta school board all-candidates meeting:
Carleen Bazowsky - "I'm just a regular single working mother who runs my business and has a deep investment in our education system. I will always think like that as a school trustee. My pledge to you is I will always put the needs of our children first."
Laura Dixon - "In seeking re-election for school trustee, I have to tell you I feel a tremendous responsibility to ensure that our students receive the very best education. I've knocked on doors and talked to people and they're really excited about our vision."
Janet Shauntz - "This is a remarkable district - innovative, caring, forwardthinking and fully articulated for anyone who took part in our visioning process. Delta is a highly respected district with a solid reputation."
Malcolm Smillie - "There's lots of talk about government funding, but I will put my money where my mouth is, and my expectation is the other candidates should do the same. Three hundred dollars every month from each trustee will buy $25,000 to put back where it belongs, that's in the classroom."
Nick Kanakos - "I've been an employee of the Delta school district for over 33 years. I have taught at North Delta. I'm aware of staffing concerns, funding concerns and parental concerns."
Simon Truelove - "My experience on the board tells me this: cooperation in Delta is absolutely essential. The board doesn't make decisions by individuals... We actually have to listen until it hurts."
Sue Lloyd - "... I would use my energy to promote a wise use of technology and minimize costs. I am also a strong supporter of the arts and community education."
Fabian Milat - "One of my top priorities on the board has been cutting administration costs and I focused on administrative costs like a laser."
Donna Burke - "Being a positive, forward-looking person, I am using this campaign to talk to people about what the Delta school district does well and listen to their ideas for improving."
Val Windsor - "I believe in consultation and collaboration with parents, teachers, administrators and senior management, as well as openness and transparency in the board's processes to keep the community involved and informed."
Carroll Allan - "Regardless of the issue at hand, children are always at the core of the debate."
Brenda Bennett-Schneider - "It was a tough first term. We had funding shortfalls... Some of the things I'm proud of as a district, with our staff, is the district vision."
Julie Sanders - "We need to put our children's needs first... We need a group of forward-thinking board members."
Pat Dyer - "You're actually missing what the real problem is for teachers. It's the corporate agenda of our provincial government. They've got money for corporations, they don't have money for kids."
Michael Patrick Macumber - "My passion is to get on the school board and make sure that the money we're spending is being spent in effective ways."
Carol Johnson - "It's not special needs students who are the problem, it's the current funding formula."
Andy Basi - "My strength, I believe, for school trustee lies on my combination of professional experience, academic background and my personal commitment to the people of Delta."
Brad Sherwin - "While it's good to have people from education on our board, it's also good to include people with a different perspective."
Dale Saip - "We have a tradition of good, sound management practices, which includes good governance and solid leadership."
sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com
