Father doubts savings over shorter school year
Surrey school district spokesman Doug Strachan.
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Recently announced changes to the Surrey school calendar amount to savings of just $15 per student, says one parent.
Andy Nevison wants to know how such a fundamental change can happen so quickly, reportedly with overall support from parents.
“This seems to be kind of one of the biggest changes to the school year that has come about in the last 50 years or so,” said Nevison, a father of three.
“All just to save $15 per student. That didn’t seem to be a very good trade-off.”
Surrey Board of Education trustees voted unanimously May 28 in support of reducing the 2009/2010 school year by six days, as part of efforts to address an anticipated $9.5-million operating budget shortfall.
According to district officials, the calendar change – an extra six days off, five in March and one in November – will save $1 million, and avoid the need to cut staffing or service levels.
Parents who responded during a 30-day consultation period showed overall support, district Supt. Mike McKay said.
But Nevison, whose kids attend Laronde Elementary and Elgin Park Secondary, has doubts.
No one he has talked to – including teachers – thinks a week’s less time in the classroom is a good idea, he said, noting it appears to have been railroaded through.
“Who’s saying it’s a good idea?” Nevison asks.
While “good idea” is not the message that came back to the district, there was a stronger indication of support than not, district spokesman Doug Strachan said.
The district didn’t have the time to do a scientific survey, nor could it justify, in the face of the deficit, spending thousands of dollars such a study would have cost, he said.
“That’s all it was, was give us some feedback,” Strachan said. “The sentiment indicated support. There was clearly more support than non-support. There was at least an indication that it was acceptable to the community.”
Of 308 e-mail responses received during the consultation period, 173 (56 per cent) supported the change. One hundred others were opposed; another 35 respondents either weren’t clear with their opinions or didn’t comment.
Informal surveys conducted by principals indicated about 86 per cent support, Strachan added.
Board chair Laurae McNally notes the change is not the biggest in recent years.
McNally said 20 B.C. school districts have reduced their calendars over the years, she said.
The board’s priority was to keep any cuts made from directly impacting the classroom, she said. Alternatives included cutting 12 teachers, 20 special-education assistants or a combination of both.
“Given our druthers, would we have done this? No. But looking at the alternatives... that just simply wasn’t palatable to the board,” McNally said.
Each school is to determine individually how the calendar changes will translate.
Nevison said he will do his own informal survey, starting with parents of his kids’ classes and spreading the word from there. If the majority of parents who respond aren’t in favour, he plans to start a petition.
If the majority indicate support, he’ll drop the issue.
Those interested in adding their comments can e-mail him at anevison2000@yahoo.ca
Regardless, the change is set for the coming school year, Strachan said. It could be revisited for next year, but that is not likely, he added.
“The context was the budget challenge is likely to continue for several years. They couldn’t do something that was just a one-off.”
tholmes@peacearchnews.com
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