(The following article is from the April 16-30, 2009, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St., Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.)

PV Vancouver Bureau

     Last November, a majority of progressive school trustees was elected to the Vancouver School Board, with a strong mandate to stand up for students and teachers. But the deepening economic crisis and the effect of years of underfunding make their task incredibly difficult.

     Now, the VSB is facing a $7.12 million shortfall for the 2009-10 school year. Trustees from the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) point to under‑funding, especially the provincial Liberal government's failure to cover rising costs. Using Ministry of Education figures, the BC Teachers Federation estimates that the shortfall looming for school boards across BC will total $74 million in 2009-10.

     This pattern goes back to the mid-1990s, when the Harcourt NDP was in office, and it keeps adding up. For the VSB, getting back to just 2001 funding levels would take well over $40 million.

     Other boards are facing similar problems. Since 2002, the financial crunch has led to the closure of 177 schools in British Columbia. Despite the Campbell Liberal rhetoric, west coast schools are not receiving more funding than ever. In 2008-09, for example, the $122 million increase in total operating grants fell short of the $137 million increase in labour settlement costs, let alone other inflationary pressures.

     However, the Ministry of Education will not accept deficit budgets. As a result, the Vancouver Board is looking at proposals from management that will cut $7.12 from the district's operating budget. While the Vision and COPE trustees who form a 7-2 majority on the Board are working to minimize the impact in classrooms, COPE trustee Jane Bouey says, "we are facing the danger of dramatic cuts in services to children."

     The Vancouver Board is also developing a "needs budget": a budget that demonstrates the level of funding the VSB needs to more closely meet the diverse learning needs of students. Bouey says the progressive trustees will continue to advocate for adequate funding from the province, alongside parents, teachers, students, and staff. She urges all supporters of public schools to join this campaign, by contacting their local MLAs as well as Premier Campbell, Finance Minister Colin Hansen, and Education Minister Shirley Bond.

     The first public forum on the Vancouver schools budget takes place April 14 at Mount Pleasant Elementary School, 2300 Guelph Street. Members of the public can arrange to speak, by calling 604‑713‑5080.

     In a recent news release, the COPE trustees (Jane Bouey, Alan Wong and Al Blakey) stress that a strong, united effort could still compel the provincial government to stop the cuts. They point out that this is an election year in BC, so the government may be vulnerable to public pressure. Most voters agree that education funding is vital to the future of the province, as well as an effective way to stimulate the economy.

     Responding to public concerns about crime and safety issues, the trustees also note that "Engaging students in safe, welcoming, inclusive learning environments is vital in countering the alienation that can turn some youth to violence, crime and a life on the streets. Public Education is essential to building our civil society."