Surrey - The Editor, Re: Surrey trustees must stop trivializing support cuts," the Now letters, June 26.
Thank you, Janice Meehan, for calling trustees out on this. Yes, we can't afford to let go of even one support staff member or teacher. We need more hours and more staff all around, not less.Sadly, few trustees have stood their ground and not made cuts. For heaven's sake, if every trustee followed their conscience and did what they were elected to do - which is to protect excellence in our public schools - we would not be in the deplorable situation that has existed for 12 years.Yes, this government has put the fear of dismissal in those who do not bring balanced budgets. What did we get? The B.C. trustees' association staying neutral.It is up to each trustee to visit their MLA and loudly cry foul. It is up to parents to call on their trustees and parent representatives and demand that they also support teachers and decry the lack of funding. Very few PACs have been heard from. Finally, where are the administrators? Is there fear behind this silence, or wishful thinking, or have we abandoned the belief of strength in unity?I encourage everyone who is a stakeholder to take a stand, and demand an end to the underfunding of public education.Niovi PatsicakisSurrey