It shouldn't be just up to parents to fundraise for technology - the province also should buck up for laptop computers and network upgrades for 21st century learning - the chair of the District Parent Advisory Council told Tri-City school trustees Tuesday.
Heidi Hass Gable was commenting during a public meeting on the School District 43 budget, which has placed a technology upgrade costing $800,000 on hold for lack of funds.
Hass Gable called on trustees to continue to advocate for funding for technology and said the district shouldn't be penalized for being progressive when it comes to integrating technology in the classroom.
"More and more PACs (parent advisory councils) are looking to fundraise for technology," Hass Gable said, but without a broader base of funding and better internet services, some schools will fall behind.
SD43 is proposing a plan to link to Coquitlam's QNet fibre optic system for seven high schools and an elementary and middle school plus add tools to monitor and regulate internet use and hire an additional staff person at a cost of $875,000, but as yet there is no money for the program to lease fibre over 20 years and the tools for five years.
In her presentation, Hass Gable also said parents are at a loss to comment on the specifics of the budget and would rather participate in an ongoing budget discussion. "Parents are not uncaring," she said. "We want to be involved but we don't know how."
She also asked the board to restore grants DPAC uses for parental advocacy and education to $14,000 from $6,000.
