The facts are:
1) the number of babies being born in our school district have dropped dramatically
2) the school district has seen families move away

Therefore, this problem isn't going to get any better. The options are:
1) do as they are proposing and hope that the provincial government grants them amnesty
OR
2) Close schools. John McInnis and Lakewood Jr are no longer required. PGSS, the new Duchess Park and College Heights can absorb those students.

Option 1 puts off making the hard decisions and removes the school districts reserve funds

Option 2 means some sort of public out cry, but saves SD 57 a significant amount of money. Plus, then they have the added benefit of being able to sell off the buildings/land.

So, the question is, do we have people on School Council that have the fortitude to do what makes sense and is necessary?

We'll know soon enough if it's all about bashing the government, or if it's about doing what's right and best for the kids.

Lets start with the bashing.

It was an interesting meeting, that's for sure. But, something in the article needs to be corrected:

The amounts reported in the Annual Facility Grant portion are reversed. The district actually has to pay $2.3 million for projects that were done between April 30 and when the hammer cam down from the Ministry. The $1.8 million is what would be needed to complete projects that have now been canceled as a result of the Provincial budget and subsequent cuts.

Tough times indeed, and some very difficult decisions need to be made.

Sure costs a lot of money to teach children how to read. But then again, I feel the "system" has let us down because of all the hype and bantering about "Literacy Awareness Week"'. You know, people unable to read. Speaks volumes about our teachers, doesn't it? More money is needed. I have paid my taxes and bought food. I have some left over. Come and get it.

Solution,

Give away leaky condoms.

Harbinger yup yup put all the blame on the teachers. Yup yup very original.

A large percentage of people who have difficulty reading are not the younger people who are now involved in school or have been involved in the past 20-30 years. Its those in my generation who finished only a certain part of their schooling and left to find work. So as much fun as it is to attack teachers about literacy, the fact is that students today and in the recent past have been given a very good education.

And just as importantly, it should be noted that closing schools might save some money, but nowhere near what is needed. This deficit was clearly caused by the Liberals changing the rules (again). The Board stuggled to balance its budget based on the promises of the government. They accomplished this last spring. Now the Liberals have changed the rules again-school boards here and across the province have been blindsided by this, and be very clear-this will affect students in a very negative way.

The board heard a proposal last night that was ignored in this article-get rid of BCESIS. Horrible program that costs this district millions each year, with nothing to help students in any way.

Any SPECIFIC age group statistics to back up claims that it was the teachers of yore who couldn't teach reading? I've been out of school for almost half a century. I can read. BC Teachers Federation around in the fifties and sixties? No NDP, that's fer sure.

Stats Canada has numbers-I looked them up up a few years ago. And I also heard some media complaints that the definitions used to define literacy are a little wonky. But I'm no real expert, I'm afraid.

I know that people who finished school no matter when they were taught can read, and generally read well. But lots of people my age dropped out of school early because there were plenty of really good jobs that did not need a high school graduation. I'm not trying to pick on the elderly (God knows enough folks do that already), but just pointing out that times were different when I was younger. And, from my experiences I can say that my school friends who dropped out early have many problems with reading today.

I have to pay homage for people who know how to handle words. Just as you try and "street proof" yer kid before sending him out into the world, some people need to "school proof" their kid before sending him to school. That is, make sure he can read.

After going to the library one day and getting one of Arnold Toynbee's five tomes of history I tried to read and comprehend his writing, I was humbled. Heavy topic and writing. I gave up. Call me partially illiterate. But I might try it again.

I think that when parents and children took school at least somewhat seriously the kids always learned to read. I dont think we can blame teachers.

Sawmills are full of peole that dont know how to read. They blame it on the strong economy of the 70s. Did you drop out of kindergarden to goto work? Because by grade 4 or 5 you should be a solid reader.

The SD needs to balance its books just like the rest of us. Its WAAAAY harder for everyone today than it was in 1970. DEAL WITH IT.

I must say a lot hot Air to buy 200 Grant worth of Carbon Credits from a New Crown Corporation and this is just from one SD, Victoria nows how to screw us all. This 200000 are paid by the local Taxpayer, every time you turn around there is a New Tax.

What exactly do the majority of these comments have to do with the presentation that the SD57 Board gave? Come on people, let your MLA and the government know that what they've done is not right!!!!!