Enrolment numbers in the Sooke School District are higher than anticipated but the exact figures will have to be determined later in the fall.
B次元官网网址淩ight now itB次元官网网址檚 very tight, particularly at the high schools B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 higher than we projected,B次元官网网址� said SD62 superintendent Jim Cambridge. B次元官网网址淏ut weB次元官网网址檙e not sure what that will look like B次元官网网址� We never really know.B次元官网网址�
With new enrolments during the summer and other students moving or changing schools, Cambridge noted the District will not be able to determine the exact number of students until after classes have begun.
SD62 has also had to accommodate the addition of roughly 30 classrooms for the new school year because of changes to class size regulations paired with the expected growth on the West Shore.
B次元官网网址淚t was like building two new elementary schools over the summer but spreading it out over 15 sites,B次元官网网址� Cambridge said, adding staff have worked incredibly hard during the summer break to make sure these new classrooms will be ready for the first day of school.
The last of were installed this week. In addition to those structures, the district also converted 10 computer labs and three other rooms into classrooms to accommodate the need. Now, staff are just finalizing the needed permits and adding furniture and teacher supplies to the spaces.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 actually worked out well,B次元官网网址� Cambridge said. B次元官网网址淥verall, IB次元官网网址檇 say it was a success.B次元官网网址�
The computer labs that were repurposed came out of elementary schools, where Cambridge noted they were not needed. Instead of following an old model where computer labs were approached in a similar fashion as going to the library or the gymnasium, he said theyB次元官网网址檝e shifted their approach to mobile labs, where technology is available in the classroom.
B次元官网网址淜ids have access to technology at home, they should have it there in the classroom when they need it,B次元官网网址� he said.
Instead of out-dated desktop computers, students will now have portable devices. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the access to information thatB次元官网网址檚 important,B次元官网网址� Cambridge added.
SD62, along with other districts across the province, are working to implement new staff levels determined by an agreement reached with the B.C. TeachersB次元官网网址� Federation before the May election.
The B.C. Liberal government signed a deal in March providing $330 million to fund 2,600 new teacher positions, to comply with a November 2016 Supreme Court of Canada ruling that ended a 15-year court battle over contract language governing class size and special needs support ratios.
Cambridge noted the Sooke School District filled most of its teaching positions back in the spring, before the funding had even come through. He added one of the reasons they were so successful in hiring is because the region and the Island are such desirable places to live.
Related:
The court case cost the B.C. government $2.6 million in legal costs. The settlement is to provide a system to carry the provinceB次元官网网址檚 public school system to 2019, when the current teacher contract must be renegotiated.
The B.C. education ministry issued a statement last week saying progress is being made to hire teachers to meet the agreement reached between the former government and the B.C. TeachersB次元官网网址� Federation.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been advised that most school districts are successfully hiring the teachers they need to be in compliance with the [agreement] with the BCTF B次元官网网址� and also to meet local enrolment growth,B次元官网网址� the ministry said. B次元官网网址淗owever, there are some recruitment and retention challenges, especially for specialist positions and replenishing teacher-on-call lists. The challenges become more acute in rural and remote areas, where it can be difficult to attract and retain staff.B次元官网网址�
When the agreement with the union was reached, the ministry established a $2 million fund for rural and remote school districts to help recruit and retain teachers. The agreement also includes alternatives when a district canB次元官网网址檛 meet the restored teacher contract provisions that were removed by legislation in 2002.
Teachers can agree to take additional preparation time, extra teaching support or other forms of assistance, if approved by them and their union local.
Under the School Act, B.C.B次元官网网址檚 60 school districts are responsible for all recruitment and hiring.
New to the Sooke School District?
You can register your child online at registration.sd62.bc.ca or you can register directly at your neighbourhood school beginning on Monday, Aug. 28 until Friday Sept. 1, from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
The first day of school is Tuesday, Sept. 5 with all schools in session for a half day with the exception of Kindergarten programs. The first day for Kindergarten students will be Wednesday, Sept. 13 with orientation sessions that will be schedule through the schools.
Classroom vacancies will not be known until after the first day of school so children new to the district may not be placed until Sept. 7 or 8. For more information go to .
With files from Tom Fletcher
