To: VSB Trustees & MLA & Minister of Education

Tupper Secondary School PAC – Support for Joint Press Release by local chapters of IUOE, VSTA, VEAES, CUPE Locals 15 and 407,
RE: Staffing Levels at VSB Schools

In response to a heart-felt report from the Tupper teacher’s representative during our February Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting[TA1] , the PAC is writing in support of the joint press release. The “robbing Peter to pay Paul” approach to filling teacher absences is cutting corners and unsustainable. Our most vulnerable learners are at risk when resource teachers are asked to fill in for teachers that are absent because of illness or other reasons. The under-resourcing situation is straining the school system in a way that is reflective of the nursing situation in the province and is harming the school community overall in terms of student performance.

For example, the number of support workers at Tupper High School has been cut from four down to two. We have two support staff for 1130 students, of which roughly 12% have a designation!  

Tupper PAC is following the lead of Vancouver District Parents Advisory Council (DPAC), Inclusive Education Working Group (IEWG) and Health and Safety Working Group (HSWG) to throw our support behind our teachers and school staff and their joint press release by amplifying the message that the school system is under resourced. Letters of support from the two DPAC working groups are available through the links in the References below.

The lack of ba-k fills has resulted in some teachers coming to work sick out of duty even though the school policy is to stay at home when sick. The situation is compounded by the ongoing effects of a pandemic where infectious diseases are on the rise and the public health office has adopted a “back to normal” mantra that flies in the face of rising viral spread of numerous illnesses such as invasive bacterium, RSV, influenza and measles.

This is a call to action to our elected officials: School Trustees, Minister of Education (and all relevant ministries) and MLA to implement the recommendations put forth by the HSWG letter.

Respectfully submitted by Tupper PAC Executive.

This letter was approved by a general meeting of the Tupper PAC on March 14th, 2024.

References:

Joint letter/press release from VSB teacher and staff unions

Measles Is Coming Back. We’re Not Prepared (“…measles immunity in Canada is below the 95 per cent immunity threshold required to sustain measles elimination.”)

Response from DPAC Inclusive Education Working Group

Response from DPAC Health and Safety Working Group