Get real , Lets Blame the government because you didn't have enough kids and further more why destroy the limelight that some deticated athelete has earned. I did have some sympathy for your cause but you are fast losing it .

Who's bringing the cream pies?

I Agree strongly with Charlie B.
"Get real , Lets Blame the government because you didn't have enough kids and further more why destroy the limelight that some deticated athelete has earned. I did have some sympathy for your cause but you are fast losing it."

I agrree with the protest. This government will not listen to those who they represent so everything else is appropriate in terms of civil disobedience. In the past public shame has been the only thing the Campbell coruption party has paid attention to so far. Put the torch out and make youselves heard for your childrens sake.

"Get real , Lets Blame the government because you didn't have enough kids and further more why destroy the limelight that some deticated athelete has earned. I did have some sympathy for your cause but you are fast losing it ."


Apparently the school system has been failing students for a long time now. I look forward to joining the protest.

These idiots can spend 900 million dollars on security for the OWELYMPICS, and they can't shell out a mere 7 million for our childrens future? Campbell, you are a BUM!!

This "Torch" coming through Prince George is all we are going to benifit from the OWELYMPICS! Big whoopy, what a benifit!

Is there anything that can't be accomplished by standing on the street and waving signs? I'd like to hear if there is...

The school district was well aware that this was comming several years ago. The District chose to turn turn a blind eye and are now crying that they were caught off guard.

There is no better way to draw attention away from your own deficiencies than to blame someone else, which is exactly what the district is doing and people are falling for it.

The school district and government are not to blame in the school closures. The lack of students and 'large' families is to blame for the closures. The Olympics have absolutely nothing to do with this.

Batman ya right. Be a good fiberal.

Well said taxinapothole, thank you!

Read the editorial in today's Citizen which has an interesting set of numbers as per staff reductions (which were not done!) in response to rapidly decreasing enrollment numbers.

I can't believe that those who must budget responsibly were *caught off guard.*

Obviously, funding is tied to student numbers and that hasn't been a secret.

Less students = less funding = less staff.

Seamutt, this has nothing to do with the government. Why would we keep schools open that have declining enrollments?

BATMAN you should loosen your cape, it may be cutting off some of your circulation.This has every thing to do with the government. Sometimes people tend to forget where the government gets their money from.

When one holds a protest they need to consider their audience. In this case they have the correct location but wrong audience.

diplomat has it right, "Less students = less funding = less staff".

Schools need to be closed. The trouble is no one wants it to be their school. Instead of a protest, I think those organizers should assist the board with the planning so the transition is smoother.

Standing outside the board office at closing, in anticipation of the torch is shortsighted imo. Want funds? Lobby the government. Want change? Work WITH the board not against them.

Instead, this group has decided to be a nuisance - highly unproductive.

I disagree dirtcheap. Are these schools full and the government is closing them? I think not. Yes, the funding has been cut but what other choice is there? This is a fact of life and nothing more. We need to accept this and move on. As commoner suggests above, we need to work with the board and make a smooth transition.

Still some people in denial I see...

SD57 Student Capacity: 22,000
SD57 Student Enrollment: 13,400 (and going down)

Wonder how may people were at the meeting last night who's kids go to schools that were not affected. Probably not many. Any one with a brain can do the math and realise that there simply not enough students to keep the level of schools currently open. Your attitude comes through loud and clear in your protest against the Olympics. The jobs that the Sea to Sky and other venues created helped alot of people but because you didn't benifit directly you attitude is that it is a waste of money, an now because something affects you let see if we can't disrupt someone elses life. I am sure the person chosen to carry the torch past the school district has paid their dues and deserves the recognition but because you didn't get you way lets see if we cant mess up their dream . Why don't you stamp you feet too.

Wow, Grown adults teaching their children when you can't get your way you stand on street corners and cry...and at the same time lets wreck the 'moment' for some proud kid, adult and their families that are running the torch which has nothing to do with schools closing.

I bet if their kids did that to these parents at home they would beat them.
Schools close for one reason folks...Not enough kids.

Why would we keep schools open if there are no students?
Get real!

Teachers better wake up and start to realize their jobs are also at stake when the economy takes a dive and people move out of the area.

No kids- No schools

Four years ago the School Trustees *KNEW* the number of births had dropped and were dropping dramatically. They *KNEW* and *KNOW* that enrollment is going to continue to *DROP*.

THEN:
Did they plan - NO
Did they change anything - YES - (they chose to use up their six million dollar reserve fund instead of dealing with the problem)
Did they close any schools - NO
Did they cut any administrative staff - NO

NOW:
Are they closing schools - YES
Are they cutting any administrative staff - NO

Holy cow. The only trustee I have heard any common sense out of is Roxanne Ricard who seems to understand what needs to be done.

Okay first of all, I AM a parent of children who will probably lose their school.

Second, The protest is NOT "against" the olympics we are FAR too late for that, NOR is it against the board, yes they made and are making mistakes. It has been placed at the board office, because it is common ground AND unfortunatly the organizers of the rally did not take into consideration that they would bring the flame right pastthe school board office. We as parents DO understand that schools will close and the due to the number it is appropriate what we ARE protesting and trying to get across to an otherwise deaf Political leader is.... That he NEEDs to listen and if we HAVE to embarass him on the national level so be it. I have sent letter after letter to parliment ever since the funding was cut earlier in the year, with no reply whatsoever.

oh and our school is NOT empty, it is full they are closing ours and filling holes in a mostly unwanted school. They had considered Harwin insted and I am not exactly sure why they decided not to proceed.

People are not having fewer kids, those who remain are having as many kids as anyone else did before them.

Families are leaving town as they lose their jobs, and young adults of child bearing age are leaving town looking for work since most of the decent paying jobs in Prince George are in the public sector.

Northern Health, the City and SD57 are three of the top employers in PG. Nearly Everything else is retail, which will pay less than $15 an hour (probably a lot less).

When PG starts closing schools, all the support staff, custodians, principals, etc... at these buildings won't stay in Prince George, because Prince George is a lousy place to be if you're working poor.

When Northern Health starts amalgamating with other health authorities, a tonne of
jobs will be lost there too, and I doubt displaced workers will stay in PG.

The city is going to have to shed jobs at some point because they know their drunken binge on the taxpayer's dime is political suicide when it comes to deficits and taking out even more loans. Former city workers will move away.

You can earn minimum wage anywhere, you sure as hell won't choose Prince George to be working poor over anywhere else unless you're stuck with a house to unload, and after a while you'll just let the bank have it.

If anyone doubts this, ask yourself how many people retire and stay in Prince George. If we can't keep the very old in town, we certainly can't keep the young.

Middleground and streetwise touched on something most people are forgetting - the board was given surplus money several years ago and was told that shortfalls would be coming so plan accordingly. They did not and now the shortfall is here. The board really needs to be held accountable for this.

"Families are leaving town as they lose their jobs, and young adults of child bearing age are leaving town looking for work since most of the decent paying jobs in Prince George are in the public sector"

Finally, a voice of reason. Family demographics? I don't know, but we have lost a lot of high paying jobs due to the economy, and a lot of people have moved away. That is the main reason why we have delining enrollment K-12.

"Northern Health, the City and SD57 are three of the top employers in PG. Nearly Everything else is retail, which will pay less than $15 an hour (probably a lot less)"
Now there, I disagree;
for good wages go to:
Canfor PG Pulp, Intercon Pulp, Northwood Pulp, Chemtrade, FMC, Husky Oil Refinery, PG Sawmill, Isle Pierre Sawmill, union trade contractors, some non union trade contractors, UNBC, CNC, provincial gov't employees, federal gov't employees, CN Rail, Spectra Energy, as well as the City, SD 57, and Northern Health.
metalman.

"Finally, a voice of reason. Family demographics? I don't know, but we have lost a lot of high paying jobs due to the economy, and a lot of people have moved away. That is the main reason why we have delining enrollment K-12. "

Aren't we arguing semantics? Does it really matter why there are fewer kids in school? While it's interesting to talk about, it's completely irrelevant.

They are not closing schools because they are over capacity.

During the 1970s I was a Substitute Teacher in the PG area. (aka Moses) In my experience the gems of the School District were the rural schools. The children were for the most part more cooperative, respectful, motivated and happy students.

I find the closing of rural schools to be exceptionally wrong headed in the short and long terms. To put children on the highway in school buses is a disaster waiting to happen. If we need to bus students, would it not be more responsible to do so within the bowl? I expect school populations are down in the city limits too. So bus students a couple of kms at 50 kmh makes far more sense than 50 km @ 100 kmh. I expect fuel savings would reflect my argument.

If we were to apply Full Cost Accounting (Triple Bottom Line; Economic, Social and Environmental) I think an argument could be made to rethink our strategies to date.

If the agricultural sector has to put their kids in harms way on winter roads, who is going to raise our food in the future? This is another assault on sustainability and another example of the urban/rural divide. Make no mistake about it.

In the matter of protesting at the Olympic Torch... The government made a decision that they could ill afford. There is a direct connection of school funding cuts to the Olympics. I see a lot of hyperbole in posts above. Let me add my $0.02

Olympic security funding $900 Billion +++
Keeping rural schoolchildren off our highways... PRICELESS

John (Moses) Grogan
Robson Valley East (Valemount)

$900 MILLION
^^^^^^^^^^^^
(my bad)

What does the Olympics have to do with declining enrollment?

I beg to differ that declining enrollment is the only reason for these changes. French immersion in College Heights is full with a waitlist. There, a very successful program is being dismantled and moved. The proposed location is totally inappropriate, and the costs of the move have not been shown to outweigh the savings.

However, with this proposed move, the enrollment in the program can be cut by 1/3 (the school can't hold as many students as we have in immersion in this city), which I suspect is where the savings come. What about that 1/3 of the students who have to give up not only their school, but their language of instruction? It isn't because the program is unpopular. Where is the logic?

I predict that if this goes ahead, the French Immersion program in this city will be history within 10 years.

You're more than welcome to downplay or even ignore the elephant in the room (enrollment decline), but if you believe it's not the major factor driving the changes being made, you're not being realistic.

Don't worry though, you're not alone. The trustees ignored declining enrollment for years hoping it would go away. Now they have to make drastic changes, rather than making gentle changes throughout the years.

Thank you for your email regarding education funding.

We have had to make some difficult decisions this year due to the economic downturn. We remain committed, however, to pursuing excellence in our education system. Despite a continuing drop in the number of students, funding has been increasing every single year. You might be interested to know that per student funding is higher than ever before.

You have referred to school closures. The provincial government is not involved in school district decisions regarding the closure of schools. We would encourage you to bring your concerns to the attention of the Board of Education in the Prince George District Office at:

School District #57 – Prince George

2100 Ferry Avenue, Prince George, BC, V2L 4R5

Phone: 250-561-6800 Fax: 250-561-6801

Email: sd57@sd57.bc.ca

We appreciate your taking the time to share your concerns. Your correspondence has been shared with the Honourable Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister of Education, for review and consideration.

Again, thank you for writing.



cc: Honourable Margaret MacDiarmid

I am well aware that declining enrollment means less dollars which means less schools. However I am parent of a child at Central Fort George Traditional School. What bothers me is that this school and its unique program have been targeted even though enrollment is actually increasing in this choice program. Both the kindergarden and Grade 1 classes are over capacity due to children moving into the catchment area after the school year started. This school was targeted before due to low enrollment. The school is now at 90% capacity and is being targeted again. Apparently the school district can find money to maintain other choice programs(montessori, French immersion) and even find the funds to start a new one(aboriginal choice program) but cannot find the funds to maintain an existing excellent program that has shown it is important to many parents and children in our community by its continous growth in enrollment. By considering a decision like this the district will be losing funding as 60% of students at this school are from our of catchment and are sent here because of the parents belief in this program. The solution presented in the report is to send the kids to Harwin, we could have done this in the beggining if we believed this was the right choice for our children. Many of these out of catchment children will either be home schooled or sent to private institution which whill result in the loss of up to 100 more children & funding from our district. Someone please explain to me how this makes sense.

Thank you for your email regarding education funding.



We have had to make some difficult decisions this year due to the economic downturn. We remain committed, however, to pursuing excellence in our education system. Despite a continuing drop in the number of students, funding has been increasing every single year. You might be interested to know that per student funding is higher than ever before.



You have referred to school closures. The provincial government is not involved in school district decisions regarding the closure of schools. We would encourage you to bring your concerns to the attention of the Board of Education in the Prince George District Office at:



School District #57 – Prince George

2100 Ferry Avenue, Prince George, BC, V2L 4R5

Phone: 250-561-6800 Fax: 250-561-6801

Email: sd57@sd57.bc.ca



We appreciate your taking the time to share your concerns. Your correspondence has been shared with the Honourable Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister of Education, for review and consideration.



Again, thank you for writing.



cc: Honourable Margaret MacDiarmid

"I am well aware that declining enrollment means less dollars which means less schools. However I am parent of a child at Central Fort George Traditional School. What bothers me is that this school and its unique program have been targeted even though enrollment is actually increasing in this choice program...Someone please explain to me how this makes sense."

The short answer is that the district as a whole must be looked at. Nobody wants 'their' school closed, but these decisions are being made with an eye on the entire district, not just one school vs. the next.

And guess what, assuming the trend continues, we will see more closures in the future. You don't have to be an expert to predict that. Will the trustees continue to make hard decisions as enrollment declines, or will the wait until another major budgetary crisis hits them right between the eyes?

"The short answer is that the district as a whole must be looked at. Nobody wants 'their' school closed, but these decisions are being made with an eye on the entire district, not just one school vs. the next.

And guess what, assuming the trend continues, we will see more closures in the future. You don't have to be an expert to predict that. Will the trustees continue to make hard decisions as enrollment declines, or will the wait until another major budgetary crisis hits them right between the eyes?"

I understand that no one wants their school closed and although I want our school left open, the more important piece is the program itself. Why is there no plan to move the program or keep it alive given the popularity of it? Why is the district eliminating a multicultural choice program while creating a segregated one at the same time? Why are there plans for the French Immersion programs affected and not the traditional program? As I said you are preaching to the converted on the economics of the situation and how we arrived here, however why is a thriving choice program that provide parents and children with a great choice not important to the school distric?

I think protests have there time and place. I have trouble with the thought of closing schools, and am not a big fan of the olympics, BUT, I think it is terrible that someone would try to draw the attention from the torch runner. These people are proud to represent all of us as Canadians, and this is a once in a lifetime chance for them. They deserve there moment. I will not be supporting the protest, rather, cheering on the kid with the torch! Protest on Saturday and I'll be there.

I think that is why the protest is scheduled for BEFORE the run is supposed to happen.

How many teachers are posting here????

I (as a protest organizer)just want everyone who is speaking against us that WE ARE NOT in any way shape or form protesting the olymics. We chose that location for our peaceful protest because it seems to be a pretty central location. The fact that the Torch Relay is going to be passing by was not something that we factored in to our plans when creating this protest. Now, however, we feel that it is a prime location to reach a significant number of not only PG citzens but also the provincial government. I personally do not support the Olympics but that is an issue that has nothing to do with our peaceful protest. We are PARENTS AGAINST CUTS-not PARENTS AGAINST OLYMPICS. As a canadian, I do feel a sense of pride for the individual who will carry the torch, however I think that in this time of Economic Downturn now should not be the time that the world comes to BC. Especially when the Olymic Venue cannot even sustain itself and is needing to sell off pieces of itself before the world even gets here! I personally have NO INTEREST in ruining this momentous moment for the individual who is running with the torch. And when she runs past us I will NOT be publically defaming her I will simply be shouting the concerns of parents known along with the rest of my group members-which is CUTS HURT KIDS! The increasing deficit should not be regained off the backs of our children. Prince George is a community that prides itself on the ability to have a CHOICE in where we send you children for their education whether that be public or private. I find in apalling that our choices are being taken away from us because of a budgetary deficit. The government must find the money somewhere else and stop cheating our children out of their God-given right to an education!! I am personally disheartened to know that when children are pitted against budgets and bottom lines-the children will have never have a chance-they will always loose. What message are we sending the future leaders of this province??? We are telling the provincial govenment that our children are worth far more than fireworks, spirit mittens and seven million dollars!!

Give me a break, My Kid Matters!

The bottom line is THIS:

Less Children ----> Less Schools and less teachers.

It's like the lumber industry:

No lumber sales-------> No saw mills.

That's how simple it is and that's how it works.

What kind of teachers do we have teaching our children if they can't understand how the system works.

"... I will simply be shouting the concerns of parents known along with the rest of my group members-which is CUTS HURT KIDS! The increasing deficit should not be regained off the backs of our children."

Cuts hurt kids? As a parent, the only thing this is "hurting" is your convenience. There I said it! That's right the convenience of where and how your child receives the education YOU have chosen. (I am using the term "you" as a generalization, not specifically at the person who posted the quote.)

The current model is unsustainable. Period. It is going to be uncomfortable. Change is uncomfortable. I have a problem with using children as pawns. No child is going to be "hurt". Cut the drama. The children will continue to be educated. There is more than one way to educate the masses.

Yes there is a deficit and a big one at that. Would you in your household budget remortgage your home so you can continue the lifestyle you are accustomed to should your expenses exceed your income with the full knowledge that you would not be able to EVER break even? No. You would readjust your lifestyle. You might even consider selling your home or a few "toys" to keep pace. Protesting won't change the REALITY.

In the past, I would be all for a protest but this isn't about underfunding, this is about sustainability. Big difference.

The slogan is just stupid in my opinionated opinion.

PS. No one is denying your child(ren) the right to education. Let's keep things in perspective shall we?

"We chose that location for our peaceful protest because it seems to be a pretty central location. The fact that the Torch Relay is going to be passing by was not something that we factored in to our plans when creating this protest."

Glad you clarified that. So your having this protest during the day when the district office is open. OK

Are you daft? If you seriously believe the lies this government is dishing about the school closures and health care then you must have your head up your rear. Explain then why it is that some of the schools that are operating at 90% capacity are being shut down? Hello, enrollment is only down marginally for a couple of the schools. Sure maybe their are too many extra teachers working, I agree with that. Don't even get me started on the Lumber! You realize that the reason behind the school closures is because Gordon Scamble decided to give himself and his cronies a nice fat pay raise, and because the dumb twits spent over and above their budget on the Olympics. Fact is even with all the monies supposedly being received from the Olympics that the whole of BC is paying for, only Vancouver will see any benefit from. Don't get me wrong, I am not against the Olympics, I just feel that there is a time and place for everything if you have the resources to hold them. Shouldn't we as a Province actually be reviewing all Campbells atrocities? He is a Convicted Criminal after all.....

Winchester, are you blind? Or just poor at math?

How many times does this need to be posted? It's incredible how many people refuse to acknowlegde this.

SD57 Student Capacity: 22,000
SD57 Student Enrollment: 13,400 (and going down)

For the math-impaired (like winchester), the district is running at about 60% capacity ON AVERAGE. Some schools are running less and some are running more.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Olympics has nothing to do with low enrollment.

"Winchester, are you blind? Or just poor at math?

How many times does this need to be posted? It's incredible how many people refuse to acknowlegde this.

SD57 Student Capacity: 22,000
SD57 Student Enrollment: 13,400 (and going down)

For the math-impaired (like winchester), the district is running at about 60% capacity ON AVERAGE. Some schools are running less and some are running more.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Olympics has nothing to do with low enrollment."

Mr PG....we have all seen this number many many many times thanks to you and as I said in my last post I am well aware of the numbers. I believe most others are as well, however I will give it to you that some apparently dont get that part of it. However your numbers again dont explain taking away a multicultural choice program and creating a segregated one at the same time. Numbers explain the need to make changes, whether that be closing schools, or god forbid cutting some of the over 2200 staff for the 13400 children. What they dont explain is my statement above so rather then just picking the posts that dont appear to understand the numbers and replying with the same thing over and over again why not look at the whole picture and make a meaningful post.

My posts are quite meaningful thanks. I can't help it if people refuse to acknowlege the enrollment figutres.

I'm aware those numbers bother people and some people would rather not talk about them, they'd rather point fingers at the Olympics or the Government or whatever.

I completely agree there should be staff cuts as well.

"However your numbers again dont explain taking away a multicultural choice program and creating a segregated one at the same time."

Are you referring to the Aboriginal Choice school? You might want to get your facts straight before posting. The Aboriginal Choice school is NOT a segregated school. Anybody (any race, colour, culture) can attend. But don't let the facts get in the way of a good rant.

Have a good day.

MrPG,

The aboriginal choice school is segregation. Read the below definition.

segregation
2 entries found.

1. segregation (noun)
2. law of segregation


Main Entry: seg·re·ga·tion
Pronunciation: \ˌse-gri-ˈgā-shən\
Function: noun
Date: 1555

1 : the act or process of segregating : the state of being segregated
2 a : the separation or isolation of a race, class, or ethnic group by enforced or voluntary residence in a restricted area, by barriers to social intercourse, by separate educational facilities, or by other discriminatory means b : the separation for special treatment or observation of individuals or items from a larger group

Winchester, you're making yourself look silly. Did you read the definition you posted? The Aboriginal Choice school is not a segregated school. They do not deny access to anyone who wants to go.

Remember back in the old days in the US South when they separated students by race? That was a segregated school system. The Aboriginal Choice school is not.

Is that clear enough for you?

Is the aboriginal choice school not a separate educational facility?