On Monday evening, Richmond School District secretary treasurer Mark De Mello outlined details of the $4.2 million of proposed cuts to the city’s public education system, prompting swift reaction from the two large unions representing its employees.
Bus driver Tom Colins, an otherwise burly looking man whose job it is to transport many special needs children each day, approached seven trustees at the Board of Education meeting to plea passionately for school bus services to remain publicly funded. Although not recommended, the district has provided the board with the option of privatizing school buses to save $250,000 annually.
“Our district drivers are an integral part of the community. Our jobs are more than point A to point B,” said Colins, attempting to hold back tears.
“I’m not convinced a private, for-profit company is going to make it work (for students),” said an emotional Colins before being helped back to his chair in the gallery.
De Mello noted these savings are estimates and, in fact, some school districts that opted for a private bus service did not save much. Outlined in the budget cut proposals, set to be approved by the board in two weeks’ time, is a series of reductions across various types of services.
“The depth of cuts is substantial,” said De Mello.
The district is faced with a $4.2 million shortfall because it is losing about 350 students next year, which translates into a $2.4 million reduction in operating grants from the Ministry of Education. Additionally, the district must make up for $900,000 in unfunded inflationary costs (MSP, utilities, benefits) and another $900,000 in administration cuts imposed by the provincial government.
The district has proposed cuts in excess of $4.2 million to provide trustees with options. The biggest cuts ($660,000) will be made at the teaching level, as a result of lower enrolment. School supplies totalling $550,000 could be cut, as well.
Additionally, one vice-principal ($115,000), three learning services positions ($215,000), business assistants ($90,000), maintenance administration ($105,000), five works yard staff ($405,000) and five custodians ($350,000) are on the chopping block.
“None of this is pleasant. None of this will be easy,” De Mello told trustees, who are required by law to balance the budget or face possible dismissal (Vancouver trustees have chosen not to do so. There was no indication from individual Richmond trustees that they would oppose the cuts).
De Mello has proposed to trustees that they use $2 million from a $9.8 million accumulated operating surplus. He said doing so would provide a Band-Aid-type solution and likely jeopardize future budgets.
“Finance experts, such as myself, have to do a big swallow and need to consider the lesser of two evils,” said De Mello, who has questioned why the government is cutting school administration costs again, when B.C. is reported to have the lowest such costs in Canada.
CUPE 716 president Ross McLuskie was of the opinion the proposed cuts targeted support staff too much.
While he told the trustees he had sympathy for their position and that the ministry was forcing them to do the “dirty work,” he also suggested the board cut more from management and administration.
“Leave the frontline workers alone,” said McLuskie.
Richmond Teachers’ Association president Al Klassen said cuts to custodians will negatively impact teaching performance and the health and safety of classrooms.
