OP/ED: Minister releases statement on BCTF job action
Education Minister Peter Fassbender released the following statement in response to the BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF) decision to possibly escalate their job action to a full strike: "While we are disappointed with the BCTF's plans to escalate to a full walkout, this in no way changes our resolve to get an agreement by the...
Trafalgar and LVR collaborate to rescue band class from funding cut (for now)
Two teachers at LV Rogers Secondary will teach Trafalgar Middle School’s band classes next year, while continuing to teach at LVR. This decision comes in the wake of a budget reduction that appeared to threaten the band program, and an ensuing student-led online petition to save it. LVR’s vice-principal Brent Cross will teach regular band […]
Selkirk's annual exam competition puts high school students the test
High school students from around the region have a chance to contribute towards their tuition at Selkirk College if they can out-test the best at the Annual Scholarship High School Exam Competition. For more than 15 years, School of University Arts & Sciences instructors have challenged secondary students in the competition...
LETTER: SD 20 Superintendent discourages student walkout slated for tomorrow
Dear parents and guardians: In schools across British Columbia, a student walkout is being promoted for the morning of Wednesday, June 4. While I respect the desire of students to express their views regarding the current labour dispute, the proposed walkout raises a number of concerns, particularly with regard to student...
Alternate elementary track meet this Thursday already seeing hundreds of registrants
Due to the rotating teachers strike in School District 20, the annual track and field meet will no longer be held by the school district. But that doesn't mean it's cancelled. “When [the track and field meet] was cancelled last Monday, [The Trail Champion's Peter Sheets] messaged me and said there might be a possibility of ...
Ministry of Education does an about face on pay cut to Kootenay area school psychologist
An open letter to Premier Christy Clark from a registered psychologist from Nelson that received thousands of reads in media circles has prompted the Ministry of Education do an about face a story Saturday on the website of the Vancouver Province newspaper said. The original letter from Dr. Todd Kettner was in response to the...
LETTER: 70+ hours unpaid overtime in Slocan tragedy nets school psychologist pay dock for `job action`
May 27, 2014 Christy Clark, Premier Via email. RE: $596.82 pay deducted for 70 hours of overtime? Dear Ms. Clark: Today wasn’t a great day for me personally. Neither was yesterday. Nor last week. Not even the week before. In fact, difficult days have been the norm since I was pulled away from preparing Mother’s Day brunch for...
Rotating teacher strikes to continue; community rallies
Rotating teacher strikes will continue next week, with instruction brought to a halt in every school district for another full day (in SD 20, that will be June 2, and June 5 for SD 8. See end of story for all district schedules). “On Monday, June 2, schools and other SD20 locations will be picketed by members of the BCTF,” ...
GALLERY: Picket lines in Robson during rotating strike
Photos courtesy Brandi Dueck Rotating strike action in the SD 20 (including Rossland, Trail and Castlegar) on May 27 saw protesters at most schools in the district - including Robson Community School, where these photos were taken. The following day saw picketing in Nelson and area. Meanwhile, the SD 20 Track and Field meet...
UPDATED: BCTF, government argue in front of Labour Relations Board
The battle between the government and BC teachers moved from the bargaining table to the Labour Relations Board room as both sides argued about the 10 per cent pay cut. The BC Teacher’s Federation told the LRB the government does not have the right to deduct salaries by 10 percent for teachers staging a partial […]
