School trustees demand more funding
Vancouver Sun
By Janet Steffenhagen
April 26, 2009 

B.C. school trustees have voted to step up pressure on the provincial government for more education funding.

“We received a very, very strong message from our members,” Connie Denesiuk, president of the B.C. School Trustees’ Association, said today at the close of the group’s annual general meeting.

“They expect to see their provincial organization (being) vocal on the funding issue.

“Their first, second and third priority ...(is) funding.”

…The issue has become key because many boards are facing serious shortfalls as they try to balance their 2009-10 budgets.

“Virtually every board in the province is having to cut programs,” Denesiuk said, adding that trustees were unanimous in stating that while education funding has increased at a time of declining enrolments, it has not kept pace with rapidly rising costs.

“Trustees are very concerned that the excellent education system that B.C. enjoys today will be compromised by cuts to programs and services,” Denesiuk added in a release.