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Wednesday, January 28, 2015 PM40008236
Vol. 60 No. 4 Sicamous, B.C., • 1.25 (GST included) • www.eaglevalleynews.com
Dash away: District of Sicamous employees Everett Kostiuk and Darren Dolemo put the wicker reindeer, used in the Christmas display at the houseboat information kiosk, back into storage until next winter. Photo by Lachlan Labere
School board seeks thaw to wage freeze for executive staff Education: Trustees lobby province for salary hikes amid budget shortfall up to $2.8 million. By Tracy Hughes
Eagle Valley News
School District #83 trustees have petitioned the B.C. government to lift a wage freeze and provide salary increases for their non-union administration employees. In an October 20, 2014 letter provided anonymously to the News, the board expresses concern to both the B.C. Education and Finance ministers about the compensation freeze for management and executive staff. The freeze applies to school district executives like upper management of the school district, as well as principals and vice-principals. When questioned about the school board’s position on the lifting of the freeze, Bobbi Johnson,
school board chairperment saying, “Controlling son, said it is an issue of compensation in this way fairness. has been an important step “As with the other in achieving and maintaining There are going to be those a balanced budget.” It goes groups, CUPE and the people who disagree, but I’d on to say, “While B.C’s fisteachers, we have advolike to think the whole system cal situation has improved cated for a fair wage for sees the fairness of that. them. We did that for the since 2012, it’s not yet at a others and we feel a repoint where the freeze can be Bobbi Johnson sponsibility to advocate lifted.” School board chair for this group as well. The ministry statement We recognize that they also notes that nearly 60 per cipal salaries are generally set in deserve a raise like evcent of the province’s buderyone else.” the $80,000 to $95,000 range. get goes to salaries and benefits The highest-paid school district In compliance with legislation, and the “government is seeking to employee is superintendent Glenn reports on all staff salaries greater balance affordability with fair and Borthistle who, in the past fiscal than $75,000 are publicly avail- reasonable compensation levels.” year, earned $143,766. able on the School District #83 When asked about the school Other upper-management staff website under the finance tab. board advocating for salary inhave salaries around the $120,000 In response to the News’ ques- creases for employees already mark, while principals’ salaries tions about the freeze, the Minis- in the top tier of school district hover around $100,000. Vice-prin- try of Education emailed a state- wages, Johnson reiterated that the
issue is about equal treatment of workers. “There are going to be those people who disagree, but I’d like to think the whole system sees the fairness of that.” The letter from the school district indicates management and executive staff have not had wage increases since 2009; however, the Ministry of Education states the freeze has been in effect since 2011. Sterling Olson, secretary-treasurer for the district, says the discrepancy in the dates is likely due to the BC government’s using two different terms for salary cap — but the bottom line is school district executive and management staff have not had a wage increase See Ministry on page 2