ACTIVE CAMPUS | First-year students get an introduction to Okanagan College [A5]
Morning gStar
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Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014
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Future uncertain for start of classes RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
Predictions are not being made on how long B.C. students could be out of class. After failed talks with the provincial government, teachers resumed full picket duty Tuesday, meaning an extended summer break for students. “I don’t have a crystal ball,” said Brenda O’Dell, North OkanaganShuswap Teachers Association president, when asked how long the dispute may last. “I’m going on a week-by-week basis.” Mediator Vince Ready walked away from the table on the weekend, saying the provincial government and the B.C. Teachers Federation are too far apart to end the current dispute. “We’re very disappointed with the results of the mediation attempts. Teachers want to be in class and working with students,” said O’Dell. “We need a government that makes meaningful moves.” Government officials defend their position. “Education Minister (Peter) Fassbender has been doing a fantastic job and the government hasn’t changed its view on what’s affordable,” said Greg Kyllo, Shuswap MLA. “We don’t want to treat teachers any differently than other public sector workers (in terms of con-
JENNIFER SMITH/MORNING STAR
Teachers Tyler Russell (left), Trish Redgewell, Sandi Slizak, Maija Daughtry and Mary Macdonald wave to passing motorists as they picket in front of Vernon Secondary School Tuesday. tracts).” A sticking point is class size and composition. “I don’t know if they expect us to bargain away what the Supreme Court awarded us but teachers won’t do that,” said O’Dell. The government questions the recent court ruling that states removing class size and composition from the contract contravened teachers’ rights. “There is an opportunity for an appeal and the government doesn’t
believe it was outside of the framework,” said Kyllo. The union is calling on parents and residents to contact MLAs over the dispute. “Teachers are under pressure so we need to put pressure on the government,” said Heather Malcolm, Vernon Teachers Association president. “We still have strong public support. Last week, people dropped by and said we can’t back down.” Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee
Blaze destroys home RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
It’s believed a resident sustained serious burns during a North Westside house fire. North Westside firefighters were called to a fully engulfed blaze on Pinecrest Road, in Westshore Estates, at 9:30 a.m. Monday. “It was reported that the occupant on scene was burned but he was unavailable to firefighters and didn’t return,” said Dan Wildeman, the Regional District of Central Okanagan’s fire services manager. A marijuana grow-op was located in the basement of the structure.
“We haven’t determined if it was legal or illegal and the cause of the fire is still under investigation,” said Wildeman, adding that electrical inspectors will be on scene and the RCMP and firefighters are working together. The fire was so intense that flames burned through the roof. “There was significant damage. It probably can’t be rebuilt,” said Wildeman. A major focus was to ensure the fire didn’t spread to the stands of timber that dominate Westshore Estates. “You protect exposures and try to confine the fire to the structure,” said Wildeman.
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MLA, admits he is hearing about the dispute. “I’m getting all kinds of e-mails and calls from both sides. The overlying message is people want kids to go back to school,” he said. Joe Rogers, Vernon School District superintendent, is urging parents to make their concerns known. “Whether it’s to their MLA or the BCTF, parent pressure will help resolve this issue,” he said. Schools are physically ready for
students to return and principals have done some work on timetables. But the process is on hold until counsellors and teachers are back. A major concern is Clarence Fulton Secondary School, which follows a quarter system. Students take two courses for 10 weeks. “Every week they miss, that’s 10 per cent of that time. We will have to look at how to support those kids,” said Rogers. To keep students active, the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District will provide samples of learning activities for parents to use with their children while the dispute continues. “While we always encourage parents to be involved in their child’s learning, it is especially important now for them so they can be prepared for school to start when it does,” said Glenn Borthistle, district superintendent. “This list of activities and resources will be posted on our website and facebook page for parents to refer to.” Borthistle says the district also plans to keep parents up-to-date if the labour situation evolves. “We fully appreciate that the labour dispute has created a lot of uncertainty, frustration and inconvenience for everyone,” he said. “I look forward to soon having more positive news about the upcoming school year, and thank you for your continued patience during this extremely difficult time.”
ELIZABETH ELLIOTT PHOTO
Flames roar through a home in Westshore Estates, off Westside Road, Monday morning.
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