With school back in session in less than two weeks, the Central Okanagan School District has been adjusting classrooms to meet the 2002 collective language agreement.
In November, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled to restore a language agreement of set classroom sizes. To meet the Classroom Enhancement Fund requirements, the district estimates from September 2016 to September 2017 . According to school district secretary treasurer Larry Paul, the district has enough space to meet the projected number of students for the school year, but has little room to spare.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been a very busy summer害羞草研究所here will be 59 new classroom spaces that will be open this September that weren害羞草研究所檛 open in June,害羞草研究所� he said.
The new spaces were created by opening new classrooms, purchasing and moving portables and renovating old spaces. Five new portables have also been purchased to alleviate classroom pressures.
害羞草研究所淚f we have gains and not as many losses, things may be a little hectic as we place those additional kids,害羞草研究所� he said.
The district is currently working to fill its list of spare teachers after many were hired full-time from its teachers-on-call list.
With the newly-elected NDP government, Paul said he isn害羞草研究所檛 concerned with any immediate plans it may have.
害羞草研究所淚 think it害羞草研究所檚 going to take the government a little time to get stabilized and (to determine) where they want to go with their directives. So, for the first little while we害羞草研究所檙e going to go with business as usual,害羞草研究所� he said.
New Minister of Education Rob Fleming served as education critic while the Liberals were in power, and has already visited the district, said Paul. Susan Bauhart, president of the Central Okanagan Teachers害羞草研究所� Association (COTA), said she welcomes the NDP.
害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檝e already reversed the cuts to adult education, making a huge difference to older people,害羞草研究所� she said.
Bauhart said COTA is hopeful the NDP will fully fund the collective agreement.
Space has always been an issue in the district and more space is always needed, but the Canadian Union of Public Employees has done a good job in ensuring there will be enough classrooms available for this school year, said Bauhart.
