Vancouver School Board announces potential cuts following $18 million budget shortfall

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) -  The Vancouver School Board is facing some tough decisions and taking a look at the proposed budget, following an $18 million shortfall.  There were plenty of long faces amid the School Board Trustees, most of whom claim there's no way they can support the budget.  Some were even calling for the resignation of Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid.

The cut are deep, 190 full time jobs are on the block including 97 teaching positions 43 of which are ESL.  The school year could be shortened by ten days and elementary band and strings programs will be gone, even 30 special needs support staff will not be spared.   

Paul Faoro with CUPE represents many staff that will be affected.  "I want an answer from the Education Minister to explain to the citizens of Vancouver and this province how cutting these education dollars is going to move our province forward."

The students that will be affected by these cuts are also taking stand.  Rachel Ha is a high school student at Eric Hamber Secondary.  "We want to really ask the board and the trustees to reconsider this budget because this is going to hurt us"

Like most of the trustees at the meeting, School Board Chair Patti Bacchus says she can't support the budget.  "The most important thing we can do is demand that this province adequately fund our public education system.  Live up to the commitments, it was elected on a promise to protect public education."

The board will vote on the budget April 29th.