CUPE 411 recently followed up with the School District Trustees after the public budget presentation, raising concerns about staffing, workload, and transparency.
We have now received a response from the Board.
For full details, please review our original email (linked below), which outlines our questions in detail.
Many concerns were acknowledged, but not fully answered
The Board recognized the concerns raised, particularly around:
- Reductions to frontline support staff
- Increasing workload pressures in schools
However, most responses were general in nature and did not provide clear or detailed answers to the specific questions we asked.
Limited transparency on spending decisions
We asked for more information about:
- Contracted services
- Staffing decisions
- Overall allocation of resources
The response did not include:
- Cost breakdowns
- Details on trends or changes
- Clear explanations of how decisions are being made
Without this information, it is difficult to fully understand or assess budget decisions.
Critical questions about EA staffing remain unanswered
CUPE 411 raised serious concerns about:
- Reductions to Education Assistant (EA) positions
- Ongoing vacancies and underspending in EA budgets
These questions were not answered and have been referred to staff for follow-up.
This is a key issue, as it directly impacts students and the supports available in schools.
Focus on high-level data instead of school realities
The Board pointed to overall budget percentages to show alignment with other districts.
However:
- These comparisons don’t reflect what’s happening in our schools
- They do not account for differences between districts of similar size and needs
- They do not address real impacts on workload, staffing, and student support
Members know that the reality in schools cannot be measured through high-level numbers alone.
Transportation – some clarity, but limited commitments
We did receive confirmation that:
- There is no current plan to increase bus fees
However, most other issues remain unclear or unresolved.
While bus fee increases are not being considered at this time, there remains a valid concern that changes to transportation services, such as reducing or eliminating bus routes, could still occur.
These types of decisions can have a direct impact not only on students and families, but also on staffing levels and working conditions within the district.
Transportation decisions, like staffing decisions, need to be clearly understood and transparently communicated, given their broader impact across the system.
What This Means for Our Members
Many of the concerns raised by CUPE 411 members (workload pressures, staffing shortages, and support for students) remain unanswered or unclear.
We believe:
- Decisions affecting frontline staff should be fully transparent
- Budget priorities should clearly reflect student needs and school realities
Members deserve clear, direct answers, not general statements
CUPE 411 will continue to:
- Push for clear answers and transparency
- Advocate for frontline staffing and student supports
- Follow up specifically on EA staffing and vacancies
With Civic and School Trustee elections coming up this fall, it is important that we, as employees of the district, pay close attention to the candidates seeking election.
Budget decisions are not made in isolation. They reflect the priorities and values of those in leadership.
As you review candidates:
- Look beyond broader political or divisive issues
- Pay attention to how candidates speak about public education, frontline services, and the role of support staff
- Reflect on whether support staff are valued and respected in the same way as other roles within the school district
- Ask: Do they recognize that support staff are directly involved in caring for, supporting, and ensuring the well-being of students every day?
These decisions have a direct impact on our working conditions, our professional respect within the district, and the level of support available to students.
For full context, please click HERE to review the email which outlines all of the questions we raised in detail.
This information is based on questions raised by CUPE 411 following the public Board of Education meeting on May 19. Members can review the full meeting materials and related information on the School District’s website: https://www.sd33.bc.ca/board-meetings-2025-26