Attention School District 8 superintendent Jeff Jones:
I am writing this open letter so that I may hear your position on the current crisis in BC public education. As a parent of two girls that attend Trafalgar and South Nelson Elementary under your leadership, I hope you can help clarify some information that I am grasping to understand.
As the educational leader of our district and representative at the provincial level, I request answers to the following questions:
Do all students in our district have the resources they need to be successful?
Does our district have enough financial and other resources to support our special needs students to a level that you are satisfied?
Do you believe School District 8 facilities positively support our students learning?
Do you believe School District 8 teachers are adequately compensated?
Other than your media comments expressing your disappointment in the job action there has been an almost complete silence from our school district senior administrators, principals and vice principals.
Mr. Jones, has direction been given to your administrators to be silent? I understand school trustees must remain neutral as they are the employer, but as our educational leader you should be able to weigh in on these issues.
If you continue to remain silent on the above issues who will stand up for our children? I know you are not in a position to walk a picket line but at least let us hear your voice.
I believe that the BC Liberals are bullying teachers and if you are silent, then you and your senior management are the silent observers. And we all know that the observer role can be as powerful and hurtful as the bully itself.
I am encouraged that you stand up for just social issues and I hope as the leader of public education in our community that you believe in it enough to stand up for public education as well.
Todd Solarik
Nelson