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Letter: Class size, composition a concern for Surrey Trustee

Board of education vice chair Laurie Larsen still seeks answers from premier, education minister – and asks Ready to engage in mediation.

Premier Clark and MLA Fassbender

 

I have written many letters and did receive one response to visit the government's website but no answers to my questions, and it was sent by the Office of the Premier.

I am writing this as trustee of the Surrey Board of Education but not at the direction from the board.

I urge again for Vince Ready immediately engage and return in unfettered mediation between the parties.

As a trustee, I cannot state more earnestly than it is the students who are suffering. I am fortunate that I have the privilege to home school my grandchild until school starts and recognize so many parents are struggling with daycare, and can't even consider the educational needs that are being missed.

Personally I support bill E80 being decided in the courts where it is now. Every single child, whether they have a designation or not, deserve a quality education. I am confident once this is removed from the bargaining table, things will progress very fast. Again I am not representing the board on this opinion, it is my own.

Teachers and EAs have been professionally trained to educate all designations but when the size and composition are too high, every child in that class suffers.

In all my letters, I have suggested that you both sit in a class for a day so you can fully understand what class size and composition actually means  and looks like in the classroom. Most of the public does not grasp the magnitude of this issue.

At public board meetings, I am always questioning  the class size and composition where it had been exceeded. It has been a concern for me as a trustee for six years.

As a trustee, I represent administration, staff, CUPE workers, teachers parents but most importantly children. As a trustee, I have no influence to bring the parties together but only advocate for the students and stand up for my beliefs.

 

Laurie Larsen, Trustee

Vice Chair, Surrey Board of Education