Whataya Want from Me

Remember the dispute between the Vancouver School Board and the Minister of Education? Yes, it was a few months back there, and it involved the Vancouver School Board attempting to create a balanced budget (which they simply couldn't do), and the Minister of Education threw a hissy fit.

The Government has increased funding for Education, but when taking into account inflation, the actual amount of funding per student has dropped nearly every year for the past decade. The Vancouver School Board felt these hits just as everyone else in the field did. They attempted to create a balanced budget, but the only way they could do it was by closing schools, something they were going to avoid like the plague. The Minister was upset, so to ruin the legitimacy of an elected body, she appointed the Comptroller General for recommendations on how to save money.

First, the Vancouver School Board, just like any other school district, should have the right to run a deficit. Continual dropping of funding justifies it, and the government doesn't seem to have a problem with running in the red either. The elected individuals on the Vancouver School Board are there to represent the people, and while I can't speak on behalf of the citizens of Vancouver, I do believe a majority opposed the necessary steps to be taken to ensure a balanced budget. Finally, the Comptroller General has no right to recommend money saving measures when they are most likely unaware of the challenges not only facing the district staff, but also the students. An individual from Victoria has no right to make an important decision concerning a municipality outside of their jurisdiction without accurate information.

The Minister of Education was wrong on so many fronts in this battle, it was ridiculous. I suggest that rather than stomping her feet when achieving a balanced budget is near impossible under the circumstances, she should listen to the people. The Minister should listen to the student's who's schools will close, she should listen to the parents who will have to drive further and receive different teaching styles that could affect their child's learning ability. She should also listen to the teachers, custodians, and administrative staff that are now out of a job.