pending teachers strike, BCTF and the gov't

Class size and composition should be a public debate in the legislature, not a union bargaining chip.

More like it should be decided by parents/taxpayers.

You should go ahead and make sure that all the BC supreme court justices know that. Apparently they don't know shit.

The BC Libs would agree with you on that one.

More like it should be decided by parents/taxpayers.

Why? You know damn well that many people are stupid and would willingly save a dollar on taxes today to fuck over the people of tomorrow.

I find it objectionable that people get bent out of shape about civil servants wanting barely cost of living increases while our elected shill corporate governments keep giving handouts to corporations that don't deliver the trickle down jobs we're promised will be showering down upon us and bank the tax savings while they off shore jobs. Time to get angry about that, folks. And frankly the public doesn't know jack shit about what's happening in classrooms, and I don't trust them to have a fucking clue when it comes to the size and composition issues that are definitely negatively impacting students.

Yeah,us parents don't have a clue what's going on in the classrooms. Let's leave it to Crusty's bean counters.

More like it should be decided by parents/taxpayers.

With my solution, it is. Parents, teachers, ranchers, busdrivers, etc. They all get an equal vote to decide who is elected to the legislature to make all sorts of decisions on our behalf.

I suggested to the GF she vote no. The "agreement" is not a good agreement at all. No ability to reduce class size and composition, a minimal pay raise per teacher, and minimal additional funding per district for operational expenses. Some deal.

I hear you. If I were in her position I’d have a hard time voting yes. That said, it’s hard to argue with this guy’s reasoning.

http://inschoinschool.wordpress.com/2014/09/17/reluctantly-i-will-be-voting-yes-but-yes-nonetheless/

does this not address size and composition?

Education Fund
An Education Fund will be established and will be used exclusively to hire additional bargaining unit members to address class size, class composition, and the provision of specialist teachers.
The amounts in the fund are as follows:
2014–15—$75 million
2015–16—$80 million
2016–17—$80 million
2017–18—$80 million
2018–19—$85 million

If I see one more poster equating capital an operational expenses as equivalent I'm going to lose my mind.

Not in any meaningful way.

http://www.staffroomconfidential.com/2014/09/will-education-fund-improve-classroom.html

The agreement provided a modified LIF fund starting at $75 million per year and increasing to $85 by the last year. It is for teachers only, which will mean a slight improvement in Districts where sizeable portions were spent on Education Assistants or senior District staff rather than teachers. However, in an average size District like Victoria (20,000 students, 1,000 teachers), this will translate into about 5-10 more teachers. That is one for every five schools.

Leave it to school boards. They decide on most other things already.

and BTW if you send your kid to private school the gov gives that school the 6K that would go to funding the public system

Can anyone give me a convincing reason why this is a good idea?

No.

More like it should be decided by parents/taxpayers.

you really belive this? that the average taxpayer should have a say in how kids are taught in classrooms? You really want to give a say to the lowest common denominator how the future generation should be shaped…come on man. Head out of sand.

I find it objectionable that people get bent out of shape about civil servants wanting barely cost of living increases while our elected shill corporate governments keep giving handouts to corporations that don't deliver the trickle down jobs we're promised will be showering down upon us and bank the tax savings while they off shore jobs. Time to get angry about that, folks. And frankly the public doesn't know jack shit about what's happening in classrooms, and I don't trust them to have a fucking clue when it comes to the size and composition issues that are definitely negatively impacting students.

i need to see more and more people saying this. the financial/economic structure as it exists now has only one future for the middle class..and it aint pretty. The proposed contrct for teachers includes a 7.2% increase over 6 years….that doesnt even come close to covering half the increased costs we all expect to face based on2% annual inflation.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/27/if-we-cant-change-economic-system-our-number-is-up

I find it objectionable that people get bent out of shape about civil servants wanting barely cost of living increases while our elected shill corporate governments keep giving handouts to corporations that don't deliver the trickle down jobs we're promised will be showering down upon us and bank the tax savings while they off shore jobs. Time to get angry about that, folks. And frankly the public doesn't know jack shit about what's happening in classrooms, and I don't trust them to have a fucking clue when it comes to the size and composition issues that are definitely negatively impacting students.

This

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9REdcxfie3M

teachers get a raise every year. (w/ less than 10yrs exp) What non-union jobs can guarantee that?

mine.

Oh and they didn't get a raise the last 2 years…so they didn't get a raise every year.

I don't think it was realistic to have class size and composition sorted out in the contract negotiation anyways. Public Education in BC is seriously underfunded…1000 bucks per student per year less than other provinces. Some fundamental changes are needed in this province.

I suggested to the GF she vote no. The "agreement" is not a good agreement at all. No ability to reduce class size and composition, a minimal pay raise per teacher, and minimal additional funding per district for operational expenses. Some deal.

I think they have made intangible gains, a lot more of the general public are now aware of the state our public education system is in. I think they have a lot more support than they did before…and a no vote may undermine that.