Vernon School District joins list of superintendents with pay raises

By Charlotte Helston INFOTEL-Multimedia May 05, 2015 - 2:31 PM
VERNON - Despite tight financial times, the Vernon School District’s superintendent was granted a raise last year, the first for that position since 2006. Joe Rogers is one of at least two other Okanagan superintendents (Kelowna's Hugh Gloster and Penticton's Wendy Hyer) to receive a fatter salary after the Ministry of Education lifted a restriction on wage increases for the position. All other administrative wages remain frozen. School District 22 Board Chair Kelly Smith says the decision to increase his salary was made in October 2014. Rogers has 30 years of experience in education, some of it in the Vernon School District, and was hired as the superintendent in 2013. His salary was about $123,000 that year. The exact wage increase has not been discussed at a public meeting and is therefore not being made public at this time, Smith says. (more)
------------

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/accountability/district/sofi/2014/SD22.pdf

BC Court of Appeal says teachers cannot bargain class sizes and composition

Posted By: Mary Griffin: April 30, 2015 CHEK
British Columbia’s highest court has ruled the province did not violate teachers’ charter rights, reversing two lower court decisions in favour of a union that has fought for class size and composition clauses in its contracts. The union has the option to seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, which has already heard previous cases involving the two sides. Two earlier rulings from the BC Supreme Court said the government infringed on teachers’ rights when it removed their ability to bargain class composition and size with separate legislation in 2002 and in 2012. Four of five appeal court judges agreed to overturn the latest ruling, writing that the province consulted with teachers in good faith negotiations leading up to the legislation. The appeal court also released a separate, unanimous decision that ensured that confidential cabinet documents that were revealed in the most recent trial would be kept secret. BC Supreme Court judge had ruled that BCTF could share its written submissions, which quoted from the private government documents, with its members, but the appeal court overturned that ruling.

Teachers endorse binding arbitration

by Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star posted Sep 11, 2014 at 6:00 AM
B.C. teachers appear united. A total of 30,490 teachers — 99.4 per cent —voted Wednesday in support of binding arbitration if the government agrees to participate. “Tomorrow morning, teachers could be setting up their classrooms and classes could start this week,” said Heather Malcolm, Vernon Teachers Association president, Wednesday. “Teachers, trustees, parents and students have all called for binding arbitration. The B.C. Liberals are the only ones refusing this workable solution.”

Teachers are proposing that salary, prep time, and benefits be sent to binding arbitration.They are also asking that the government leave class size and composition to the courts.“This means that the government must drop article E.80, which seeks to nullify any future court ruling in the teacher’s favour,” said Malcolm.

Education Minister Peter Fassebender opposes binding arbitration.“If the government thinks its proposal is fair, then there is nothing to fear from arbitration,” said Malcolm. “Instead, the government has not moved on any monetary proposals in negotiations since June. They have not offered one new dollar to deal with the learning needs of our students.”

Parents Can Now Apply For $40 School Payment

Written by 107.5 Kiss FM Sunday, 31 August 2014 13:00
Starting today, parents of public school students 12 years old and under can register at http://bcparentinfo.ca/ to receive $40 per student for each day school is not in session due to the ongoing labour disruption in B.C. public schools. The Temporary Education Support for Parents (TESP) program is intended to help parents with the added cost of learning and supervision for the duration of the labour disruption. Parents and primary caregivers are eligible to apply. Primary caregivers can include step-parents, legal guardians, foster parents, host parents for international students, caregivers with temporary custody arrangements, and family members who normally care for the student, such as grandparents. To register parents and primary caregivers will need to provide the name, address, date of birth, school district number and school for each eligible student. Payment will be made by cheque in a single payment mailed to the address provided during registration. Most payments will be processed within 30 days after the month that the labour disruption ends. Payments for students attending kindergarten, and for students who are new to B.C. public schools, will also be made after the labour disruption ends, once enrolment for the current school year can be confirmed. Eligible parents will have four months from the end of the month in which the labour disruption is settled to register for the temporary education support. No new registrations will be accepted after this date. For those without access to a computer, registration by paper form is also available by calling 1 877 387-3332 or 250 387-3332. The payment is not taxable and will not affect provincial and federal tax credits and benefits such as the new BC Early Childhood Tax Benefit, BC Low Income Climate Action Tax Credit, Sales Tax Credit or the federal Canada Child Tax Benefit or GST credit. The payment will not impact other provincial support assistance such as income or disability assistance, child care subsidy, subsidized housing,MSP subsidies, or Fair Pharmacare.

Parents To Get 'Strike Pay'

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 31 July 2014 12:17

BC Finance Minister Mike de Jong

The BC government will give parents 40 dollars a day for each child under the age 13, if schools are not open in September. Finance Minister Mike de Jong announced the plan today, saying the funding will help parents with their daycare costs, and will come from savings from the teachers' strike. De Jong says parents will be able to claim their money through a website set up by the provincial government. The province has saved an estimated $178 million due to the strike. BCTF President Jim Iker issued a statement Thursday saying the government is looking to "strip education funding from BC students in a blatant and divisive attempt to prolong disruption in BC schools." "This scheme will not help improve class sizes, increase support for children with special needs, or provide more one-on-one time for all students," says Iker. Iker says their bargaining team has been in regular contact with the BC Public School Employers' Association the last three weeks. "It's time for the government to finally agree to mediation so we can reach a fair settlement and get schools open for the first day back in September," adds Iker.

Teachers Strike Vote Result

Written by Glen Morrison 107.5 KISSFM Wednesday, 11 June 2014 04:15
B.C. teachers have voted 86 percent in favour of a full scale walkout. BCTF president Jim Iker says it sends a very strong message to Christy Clark and the government it's time to negotiate in good faith, put new funding on the table, and reach a fair deal that also provides better support for students. He says while they are ready to withdraw services that decision hasn't been made and the rotating strikes continue. Vernon is being hit today, North Okanagan Shuswap and Central Okanagan tomorrow. Education minister Peter Fassbender says the result wasn't unexpected, and the teachers need to come to the table with realistic expectations. The earliest a walkout could happen is monday and Fassbender says it took 5 days of bargaining to get the support staff agreement, and that can happen with the teachers as well.

153 Teachers Get Layoff Notices

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Friday, 23 May 2014 15:00
Dozens of teachers in the Vernon District are getting layoff notices this week. Vernon School District superintendent Joe Rogers says the number is 153. "But the majority will get some work next year, maybe not all that they are owed, but because we are up in enrolment next year, depending on how many retire versus how many return from leave, the majority will get some work next year," Rogers tells Kiss FM. Rogers says the projections are for 70 more students in classes this fall. "If that projection is true, we should be up three or four teachers over what we have this year," Rogers adds. Rogers says a layoff recall meeting will be held next week where the impacted teachers will find out about the jobs that are open. Rogers say teachers need to work one semester or five months in the Vernon District to get recall rights, where in Kelowna they have to work 15 months. "So if you work one semester, you are owned some work and that's why the list is so long. Somebody may work one day a week, and then we owe them one day a week if they've done that for the whole year. We have a different collective agreement," says Rogers. Vernon Teachers Association president Heather Malcolm estimates the number at about 200 teachers getting notices. "Last year a majority of the teachers got recalled to a partial position or a full position, I don't know how many are going to get called back this year, " says Malcolm. Malcolm says regardless of the outcome, it's a lot of teachers whose lives have been disrupted for a period of time.

Budget axe swings at Vernon School District

by Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star posted May 1, 2014 at 7:00 AM

Staff will be handed layoff notices at the Vernon School District. To deal with a $1.4 million shortfall in 2014/15, trustees announced Wednesday that expenditures have to be reduced due to increased costs."These cost reductions will result in some reallocation of staff. For some staff members, it will translate into reduced hours of work while for others it will result in layoffs," said Bill Turanski, board chairperson."We are currently proceeding with this staff restructuring process. It is hoped that with continued future enrolment growth and the Minister of Education’s commitment to examine the funding formula, the district will not need to make future cuts."

The following expenditure reductions are being proposed by the board:
District office expenditures - $133,667
Reduction in transportation routes - $125,000
Reduction in maintenance expenditures - $84,306
Reduction in library staffing - $96,987
Reduction in school clerical staffing - $61,475
Reduction in school vice-principal staffing - $64,500
Reduction in school supply budgets - $64,155
Restructuring special education support staff - $342,117
Reallocation of anticipated year end surplus - $517,279

Turanski says the shortfall is due to the following cost pressures not funded by the Ministry of Education:
Increased Medical Services Plan costs
Increased municipal pension costs
Increased Workers’ Compensation rates
Increased B.C. Hydro rates
Increased CUPE wage costs
Increased teacher and CUPE benefits costs
Inflationary costs for supplies

West Vernon School Sold For $1.4M

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Friday, 24 January 2014 05:50
The amount paid for the former West Vernon Elementary school has been released. "The sale price was $1,474,500, less the legal fees," says Vernon School Board chair Bil Turanski. Turanski says the building was bought by the North Okanagan Child Care Society.He says the funds will be likely be used for upgrading the school district offices on 15th Street. "The Ministry (of Education) has agreed it can be used for that," says Turanski. Turanski says the buildings at that site could certainly use an upgrade. "I've been a trustee for over 20 years and they've been there during that period, and they were old portable classrooms, so they're pretty old, 30 years at least." He says plans for the upgrade are being drawn up. "We're hoping to do it as quickly as possible."

Prime minister honours Vernon teacher

By Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 20, 2013 10:00 AM

A Vernon educator is being recognized for her commitment to youth. On Tuesday, Shawna Milller-Poitras received the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence from Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa. Miller-Poitras works at the North Okanagan Child Care Society and she is known for connecting her students with the world beyond the classroom. She regularly visits the community garden and farmers markets and her students have developed relationships with elementary and secondary students and seniors. Miller-Poitras also played a role in developing a children's charter of rights for Vernon.
---------
Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education 2013 Recipients List:
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/pmaece-ppmepe.nsf/eng/wy00572.html  

Strike Averted: Tentative deal reached for CUPE public school workers

Vernon Morning Star Published: September 19, 2013 9:00 AM 

A tentative two-year contract has been reached between the BC Public School Employers' Association and CUPE BC, effectively halting a strike of 33,000 unionized public school staff in the province. On Tuesday, teachers had been told (by CUPE members) to expect a strike as early as Monday. CUPE BC represents 27,000 of the set-to-strike workers. The new deal provides union members a 3.5 per cent wage increase over the two years of the contract – one per cent on July 1, 2013 (retroactive), two per cent on Feb. 1, 2014, and 0.5 per cent on May 1, 2014. The deal – which would begin on July 1, 2012 – is set to expire on June 30, 2014. "CUPE BC's 27,000 education workers are vital to keeping our schools clean, safe and inclusive," said CUPE BC president Mark Hancock, in a statement. "I want to thank all 85,000 of our members across the province, and our K-12 members in particular, for their solidarity. It's only because we held together that we were able to negotiate a fair and reasonable contract, despite demands for concessions from the government." "I would also like to thank the BC Teachers' Federation for their unwavering commitment to public education in our province and for their strong support during these difficult negotiations."

'Huge loss' for people with special needs

by Melissa Ligertwood - Vernon Correspondent - CASTANET  Jul 14, 2013 / 8:27 am
More than 50 years of history may be coming to an abrupt end for the Vernon District Association for Community Living (VDACL).  Executive Director Eileen Howells says the group had been in negotiations with School District 22 for the past five years about plans to purchase the Dorothy Alexander Centre, located at the site of the old West Vernon elementary school. That is, up until one month ago when Howells says she learned the school district had decided not only to keep the building, but to evict the VDACL. “We were given notice that they are going to keep the building for school district programs. We now have three months to vacate,” said Howells. The VDACL, now more commonly known as Venture Training, started in 1955 in response to a need for special education programs. In 1961, the VDACL finalized two-thirds funding from the Ministry of Education to build a special education school called 'My School'. The school board of the time donated the land, and the VDACL worked with the community to fundraise the rest of the money needed to build what is now Dorothy Alexander Centre. In 1970, community members marched beside VDACL to fundraise for the construction of a gymnasium. Today, Venture Training serves over 200 adults with special needs through 13 programs at five different sites throughout Vernon, including residential properties. The school district has always retained ownership of Dorothy Alexander Centre, offering a low lease rate and first right of refusal should the buildings ever be put up for sale. Howells says that almost six years ago, the school district announced plans to sell when they decided to close West Vernon school. “That very day, we said we wanted to buy and we’ve been in negotiations ever since. In May of 2010, there was even a publicity event to announce approval from the Ministry of Education,” she said. “We made an offer and they accepted. We thought we had a deal.” The school district has stated they shifted gears two years ago, informing the VDACL that the buildings would not be sold and the lease would not be renewed. Howells says the decision whether to fight is ultimately up to the VDACL Board, but she’s been instructed to move forward with plan B – finding a new location. Although staying at the Dorothy Alexander Centre would provide the best opportunity to continue and expand current programming, she says, the VDACL needs to move forward. “I need to find a permanent home for my programs. It’s unfortunate because there is a great attachment to the building, but I don’t know what else we can do,” said Howells. Dorothy Alexander herself, the previous community educator for whom the building is named, continues to work and live in Vernon. Alexander is saddened by the news that the longstanding agreement between VDACL and the school board may be coming to an end. “This is a huge loss to the people of Vernon with special needs. It’s a vital part of who they are, that’s why they were trying to acquire the building in the first place,” said Alexander. She hopes that it’s not too late to reach a compromise. “Something should be worked out for the continued use of the gym and kitchen for people with special needs,” she said.

Teachers, administrators cut at Vernon School District

By Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star Updated: May 02, 2013 6:22 AM
There are significant cuts looming at the Vernon School District. Trustees approved the preliminary 2013/14 budget bylaw Wednesday. The goal was to tackle a $2.2 million shortfall, partly a result of reduced enrolment. "This will mean re-prioritization of services in the budget," said Bill Turanski, board chairperson. The budget will have 19 less full-time equivalent teacher positions next year, 1.4 fewer school-based administration positions, consolidation of bus routes, one less custodial position and a reduction of maintenance and facility services staff by will be reduced by 0.6 FTE. All inflationary costs to supplies and services and the resulting change from the HST to the GST will have to be accommodated within existing budgets.

North Okanagan Shuswap school district cuts spending

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 12, 2013 1:00 AM
The axe has dropped in the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District. Trustees slashed programs and staff positions Tuesday to address a $1.8 million shortfall for the coming school year. “It’s always difficult when you are having to cut money,” said Laurie Myers, Armstrong trustee. Principal and vice-principal time will be reduced so they can teach more and there will be 12 teachers lost as a result of dropping enrolment. All supply budgets will be trimmed. Storefront schools in Armstrong, Enderby,  Salmon Arm and Sicamous are also being restructured. Storefront schools, which assist adult learners, were targeted because of rising costs and a decline in students. “Hopefully in the next year or so, these numbers will increase so we can again afford to add to the program,” said Bobbi Johnson, chairperson. A financial analysis indicates that storefront, adult, continuing education programs are operating with a $520,000 deficit. “It’s an important part of the community but it’s not in our kindergarten to Grade 12 mandate,” said Myers. A major factor in the overall budget is the continuing trend of decreased enrolment. Enrolment is anticipated to drop about 240 students per year for the next four or five years. The district’s student population has shrunk by 25 per cent in the last decade. “When (provincial) funding is attached to students and there is less of them, you get less money,” said Chris Coers, Enderby trustee. Declining enrolment is a result of aging demographics, says Falkland trustee Debbie Evans. “There are only a few districts in B.C. seeing increases and that’s where there is employment growth and families moving in,” she said. District revenue is expected to drop by $1.32 million and costs will climb by $531,000. Coers says there is no provincial assistance to help with inflationary demands such as fuel, electricity and employee benefits. “We have to come up with additional money to fund those.” Trustees will continue to look at the 2013/14 budget prior to it being formally adopted May 14. With deficits becoming an annual situation, Coers says the district has contacted the Ministry of Education and warned that program delivery is at risk. “We have done what we can with efficiencies,” she said. The North Okanagan-Shuswap Teachers Association believes there were some budget options overlooked by the district. “Very few districts have nine trustees and with declining enrolment, trustees need to look at the costs associated with the two extra trustees in terms of actual salary and costs of travel and conferences,” said Lynda Bennett, NOSTA president. “Our district has a higher proportion of administrators to teachers, in other words, other districts manage with less administrators. To have principals and vice principals taking on teacher work is not a huge cost savings, more would be saved by decreasing the number of administrators.”
---------

Statement of Financial Information June 2012.pdf - Finance - S  (p.42 )

Statement of Financial Information. The Board of Education of School District No. 83. (North Okanagan-Shuswap). Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2012  (Salaries of elected officials and employees <$75,000 start on page 42 of report.)

 

Okanagan College increases tuition two per cent

By Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star Updated: March 27, 2013 6:33 AM
It’s going to cost more to attend Okanagan College.  The 2013-14 budget includes a two per cent increase in tuition fees. “This is only the third time in eight years that we have implemented an across-the-board fee increase,” said Tom Styffe, board chairperson. “Our goal this year was to avoid program and service cuts and we have achieved this. We want to ensure that we continue to provide access to the quality education that our students and communities deserve.” For a full-time student in university arts with a typical course load, the two per cent increase in 2013-14 will amount to $62.79 per year, while a level one automotive painter apprentice will see tuition increase by $7.96. While tuition has gone up by 6.1 per cent at Okanagan College since 2005, officials say the consumer price index has risen more than 15 per cent. Beides higher tuition, the $95.5 million budget addresses a $1.6 million shortfall through reduced expenditures and expected increases in enrolment. “We must a produce a balanced budget for the institution,” said Styffe. “That balance extends to what we’ve asked our staff to do and what we are expecting of students. Our departments have found ways to reduce expenditures and increase revenues through contract training and through enhanced enrolment.” As part of the budget, the college had to manage $952,000 in inflationary costs, as well as an anticipated $120,000 reduction in funding from the province. The increase in tuition is expected to yield about $302,500, while an increase in enrolment is projected to raise about $92,000 in additional tuition. Reductions in departmental expenses and increases in revenue are estimated at $240,000, while increased revenue from contract and custom training is projected to yield $670,000.

B.C. to offer free textbooks online - Covers only top 40 post-secondary courses

CBC News Posted:Oct 16, 2012 12:30 PM PT

The B.C. government is offering free online textbooks for post-secondary students who are taking the 40 most popular courses.  Advanced Education Minister John Yap says up to 200,000 students could save money next year. "This new approach — open learning, free online textbooks — will help reduce the costs and help make education more affordable," he said.  The province will work with post-secondary institutions to implement the open textbook policy, with a plan to have the textbooks online as early as next year. The province estimates students spend $900 to $1,500 each year on textbooks. The online textbooks will be free to view and can be printed for a fraction of the price of traditional texts. Yap says B.C. is leading Canada in delivering free, open textbooks, and joins several other international jurisdictions in taking a leadership role in putting technology to work for students. He estimates the program will cost taxpayers $600,000 to $1 million each year.

Vernon Teacher Wins National Award - Fulton teacher recognized for entrepreneurship

Betty Selin 105.7 SUNFM 10/4/2012

---

A Vernon teacher is one of 94  across the country to receive the 2012 Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence. The Awards were presented at a ceremony in Ottawa,  just ahead of World Teachers' Day tomorrow. Fulton Secondary teacher, Terry Downton was recognized for entrepreneurship for grades 9 to 12.  His program for budding entrepreneurs involves local partnerships and gets the students out into real world, where they can make their businesses start working.
----------
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/pmate-ppmee.nsf/eng/wz01957.html

School Enrolments Down

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM  Tuesday, 04 September 2012 04:15
  More than a half million BC students head back to school today.  Enrolment has dropped by more than 60-thousand provincially, the last ten years. District 83, North Okanagan Shuswap, expects 250 fewer students. Bev Rundell, superintendent of the Vernon District, says their numbers are also falling. She says "Our grade 12's this year are about 750 students and we're having 540 kindergarten students that are coming into our school system, so that's a difference of almost 200 students that we see from K to 12, and so we're still in a slight decline." Rundell says they project enrolment to level-off by 2019. Rundell says the teachers labour deal should make this a better year for everyone in the school system.

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM  Tuesday, 03 July 2012 02:16

It's not known what will happen with extra curricular activities when BC schools resume in the fall. Some teachers decided not to take part in clubs or sports teams during the recently-settled contract dispute. Vernon Teacher's Association president Bruce Cummings says it will be up to each teacher to decide if they want to volunteer their time. "It's a difficult one to forecast because there's still a lot of residual bad feelings about how we're being treated, and I can't predict how teachers are going to react." Teachers in BC voted 75 percent in favour of the new deal, although turnout was a low 52 percent. Cummings says teachers are also having to deal with some uncertainty, with 106 layoff notices given out this year "So far there's about 88 positions that have been posted, so I'm expecting there will be some teachers who won't have employment next fall." Cummings says the job losses are largely due to the declining enrollment in the district. 124 fewer students are expected in classes this fall, which will result in a million dollars in spending cuts by the district. Meantime, as of July 1, Cummings has retired and is no longer the VTA president.
Hillview teacher Kevin Bader has taken over the position.

Abbott fires school board

by The Canadian Press -Castanet Jul 1, 2012 / 3:56 PM

A school board in Cowichan Valley has been expelled. The province's education minister, George Abbott, fired the board for district 79 after it refused to produce a balanced budget by yesterday's deadline. Abbott has appointed Surrey school district superintendent Mike McKay as the official trustee for the district, praising him as a respected 30-year veteran of the education system. McKay once worked as a school principal in the district and is now tasked with working alongside district staff to produce a balanced budget. Last week, the district's board passed a deficit budget in a 4-5 decision. According to board member Ryan Bruce, if a balanced budget is not passed funds from the government cannot be transferred to the district.