School District 43 schools will be open for students Monday, with classes in session by Tuesday if a tentative deal struck today, Tuesday, between the province and the BC Teachers' Federation is approved.
Thursday, the province's 40,000 public school teachers are set to vote on the six-year deal, with the results of the vote expected on Friday, which will set in motion a return to school if a "yes" vote is announced, according to SD43 superintendentTom Grant.
"If the ratification is completed and positive by Friday afternoon, we will return Monday morning with regular [opening] just like the first day of September," he said.
That means students will only be in school for a short time to finalize numbers and organize classes. It will be Tuesday before students will attend regular classes and, as in past years, it may take a few days before students' timetables and classes are finalized.
Meanwhile, kindergarten students will take a little longer to be introduced to their classrooms, although Grant said he didn't have the final details about how that would work. He said the specifics are still being worked out and schools would be in contact directly with parents to let them know what to expect.
"In the meantime, I'm sure we will find out what all of the elements of this deal are and start implementing," he said.
The deal, the details of which were not officially released early this afternoon, was expected to add more money for class size and composition issues, which could mean more teachers and support workers in schools or at least make up some of the more than 600 teachers and dozens of support workers who were laid off in June.
A POSITIVE NOTE
Grant wouldn't be specific on what the staffing situation would be but he said he hoped that if the deal is finalized, teachers, support workers, students and administrators would start the year on a positive note.
"I hope it means the issues of both sides were clearly vented, that they got a good audience, that we got a deal that allows us to move forward and continue to improve what is a terrific system," Grant said.
It's not certain when or if teachers would go in to schools early to get their classrooms in order if the deal is ratified. But as of today, they were still on the picket line. A study session will likely be held tomorrow, Wednesday, to give teachers a chance to look over the tentative deal.
The BC Public School Employers' Association was seeking a six-year agreement with wage increases of just over 1% per year, in line with other settlements in the provincial public service. A fund to address class size and composition has been a key issue in the dispute.
The deal as it appears to be shaping up in various news reports suggests a 7.25% wage increase over six years, back dated to 2013. As well, funds have been put towards class size and composition.
SIX YEAR DEAL
Tuesday afternoon, Premier Christy Clark and Education Minister Peter Fassbender gave a joint press conference in which they said the deal would bring labour peace for five years, and wouldn't strain government coffers. However, the province would fund it, if it's approved, not individual school districts.
Fassbender also told the media that plans are in the works as to how students would make up lost time.
BC Teachers' Federation president Jim Iker was expected to give a press conference today, Tuesday, at 4:30 p.m.
A settlement will not only mean schools will re-open for 30,000 Tri-City students, 2,000 full- and part-time teachers and 1,200 support workers, but parents will be getting $40 per child payouts within 30 days after the month the disruption ends.
As well, Monday's school opening will mean about 550 middle school students and 50 staff in Port Moody and Anmore will get a look at their new building. Eagle Mountain middle school had been slated to open when school resumed in early September and will be ready for students, stated principal Nancy Bennett in an email.
All areas on the school's top floor will be ready, which includes all classrooms, washrooms, media centre/library, and the office/administration area. However, work is still going on in the Exploration studio level and the gymnasium.
Meanwhile, a professional development day scheduled for Friday, Sept. 19 will not go ahead and Grant said he expected it would not be reinstated for the year.
Parents are encouraged to monitor www.sd43.bc.ca through the week.
