NEWS PENTICTON WESTERN
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Vees close to renewing lease with city
VOL. 48 ISSUE 33
Lakers rugby squads still perfect on the pitch
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FRIDAY, April 25, 2014
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entertainment Fitzpatrick ventures into world of country music
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volunteer Volunteer goes to the dogs
SD 67 BUDGET WOES FORECAST LAYOFFS
NEWS PENTICTON WESTERN
dents, the Canadian Union of Public Employees said kids will no doubt be affected. “CUPE members work directly with students Support staff will be hardest hit under the and maintain the facilities they use, so cuts to our Okanagan Skaha School District’s proposed plan members will affect the learning environment for to cut the equivalent of 11.5 positions to help slay all,” unit chairwoman Alison Reigh said in a stateits $1-million budget deficit. ment. “Everyone within the district is going to be She added that the union, which was granted impacted by varying degrees,” secretary-treasurer unfunded wage increases last year by the B.C. Bonnie Roller Routley told a public budget meet- government, is “definitely disappointed that the ing Wednesday. majority of the proposed budget cuts” are directed “The goal we set at the table, at its members. though, was to have the least impact in Teachers are also worried about the classrooms.” how having fewer CUPE members Most of the expected shortfall for would impact their work since there 2014-15 stems from a 1.5 per cent rewill likely be less help available for duction in the district’s operating grant special-needs and gifted students. It’s the best from the Education Ministry. “It’s very sad for teachers that supThe decrease is tied to declining enports are going to be cut,” said Leslea of a bad rolment and will put the expected opWoodward, president of the Okanaerating budget at $54.1 million, while situation. gan Skaha Teachers’ Union, adding expenses are projected to total $55.1 members are at a loss for ideas for — Derek Hurst million. finding cost savings elsewhere. To close the gap, the district has “I know the trustees try to keep proposed a series of job reductions, alcuts away from the classroom,” she though the total number of employees who would said, “but there comes a time when where else do be affected is still unknown. you cut?” At least four of the 11.5 full-time-equivalent The head of the district parent advisory council cuts — including an electrician, delivery driver said he appreciates that many of the job reductions and principal — are expected to come from not would be achieved through attrition. filling vacant positions and not rehiring after re“It’s the best of a bad situation,” said Derek tirements. Hurst. “We just have to keep lobbying the governOther workforce adjustments include partial ment to increase education funding,” he continued. cuts to clerical staff, custodians and educational Such concerns about underfunding aren’t isoassistants, plus eliminating nearly two full teacher lated to Okanagan Skaha, said school board chairpositions. man Bruce Johnson. The district has also proposed trimming “All 60 districts in B.C. are facing the same $230,000 from its services and supplies budgets, thing,” he said, noting counterparts around the and draining $75,000 from a pool of funds for pro- province have unveiled cost-cutting plans to help fessional development, but is planning to leaves its balance their budgets. eight-member senior management team intact. “We wish we didn’t have to do it, but as it stands “We’ve looked at senior management. At this right now, it’s a reality,” Johnson said. point, there are no positions we feel can be reSchool district staff and trustees are still accepting feedback on the budget, which is expected to duced,” Roller Routley said. Despite assurances the district has done its best be adopted in June. Comments can also be made to minimize the impact of expected cuts on stu- online at www.sd67.bc.ca. Joe Fries
Western News Staff
DANCING DELIGHTS — Paige Hanson of Osoyoos dances her solo jazz routine in the eight-and-under division of the 88th annual Penticton Kiwanis Music, Dance and Speech Arts Festival at the Cleland Theatre Thursday. The dance competition continues through next week and the popular event will conclude with festival awards and highlights shows.
Mark Brett/Western News
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