Is this where we want to send our kids?” asks CUPE
The Calgary Board of Education’s budget assumptions report will result in 2nd class schools, CUPE Alberta President Marle Roberts said today.
“From lower standards of cleanliness to limits on communications, services, and support, this report draws a very unattractive picture of where our schools are going,” Roberts said. “Is this really where we want to send our kids?”
Roberts was responding to a CBE report, “Budget Assumptions Report 2015-2018” that was tabled at the Board meeting yesterday.
The report is a response to the recent provincial budget. Among the report’s 22 recommendations are:
- Cleanliness for CBE facilities will be reduced below current standards
- The number of single custodian schools will increase
- Communication services…will be reduced
- Administrative supports and services will be reduced.
CUPE Local 40 President Bob Anderson, who represents CBE custodial staff, said the reduction in cleanliness will have a long-term impact on schools and shorten facilities’ lifespan.
“We saw three classrooms closed due to mould last year, and we’ll see more mould without constant care and monitoring,” Anderson said. “The province and the CBE can’t keep cutting back on infrastructure cleaning and maintenance.”
“It’s the death-of-a-thousand-cuts for our schools,” Anderson said.
Roberts said the issue begins with the provincial budget tabled last month.
“The Premier froze the education budget despite 2,500 new students coming in to the CBE this year alone,” Roberts said. “It’s a budget that doesn’t care about kids, and doesn’t care about the workers who support them in school every day.”
“Parents need to let the Province and the CBE know: we won’t accept 2nd class schools and we won’t accept this budget plan!”
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For information or interviews, please contact:
David Loan, CUPE Alberta Communications Representative,
(o) 780.484.7644 or (c) 613.301.7468
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