Oppose all School Fees and Private Ventures in the Public System
- Universal access to all programs and services without cost
- Eliminate school fees without loss of programs
- No to the contracting out of district services
- Re-evaluate the role of volunteering and fundraising
Develop a Community Budget
- Full community participation in the budgeting process
- Determine the level of public funding that meets the actual needs of the school district
- End the deliberate starving of the public school system
- Demand full funding for staff wage increases from the Ministry
- Revaluate administrative positions, salaries, and perks
- Demand full funding for Ministry initiatives, such as Daily Physical Activity
Full Partnership with First Nations Communities and Families
- Actively advance the goals of the Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement with School District 61
- Strengthen the new relationship between Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations and the school community
Defend Community Diversity and Public Space
- Maintain small schools
- Oppose closures and property sales
- Support community use of school facilities
- Let school communities decide on grade configurations
Restore Quality Learning Environments Support Just Working Conditions
- Restore smaller class sizes
- Renew commitment for students with special needs including the restoration of Ministry allocated funding, timely evaluations, and therapeutic programs
- Return classroom support for children with behavioural difficulties
- Increase support for school and district educational resources, including library and counselling time
- Reinstate staffing levels for maintenance, secretarial, custodial, and transportation services
- Support local free collective bargaining
Show Confidence in our Teachers
- Support for teacher-developed curriculum that is not driven by testing
- Encourage critical thinking and joy of learning
- Affirm the autonomy and professionalism of teachers
- Rebuild collaborative decision-making at the school level
Advance Community and Staff Involvement in District Decision-Making
- Open all School Board meetings to the public
- Create a public record of Trustee votes at School Board meetings
- Provide regular reporting of Board meetings to the community
- Full collaboration between community, trustees, staff, and administrators
- Involve community and staff in district planning and curriculum development
- Increase community and staff involvement in Board committees
