Education assistants spoke out against the current call-out system in the Kootenay Lake school district at this week’s board meeting, saying the glitchy system is threatening their livelihood.
“If you want teachers on call to be happy here, this machine can’t be ruling our lives this way,” said Kathy Couch, who has heard complaints from others struggling to make rent because of missed shifts and scheduling mess-ups. “This is a very stressful situation.”
Rhonda Kirby said she didn’t receive a call for a month due to a system error, and can’t afford that financial hit.
“This concerns me a lot,” said Kirby. She believes some kids in need of support have been “sent home without adequate assistance.”
Another problem arose when Couch showed up for a shift only to find it had been cancelled days ago.
“I didn’t need to be there, but you had to pay me for it,” Couch told the board. “These glitches are happening all the time. We need this fixed.”
She believes part of the problem is the system itself, and the loss of human participation in the process.
“There are certain limitations in this program you won’t be able to work out,” she said.
The board thanked them and said they were looking into it.