Tara Sprickerhoff
Tribune Staff Writer
In response to Cariboo Chilcotin Teachers’ Association president Murray Helmer, who said late last month that some full time teachers have not yet found full time jobs, superintendent Mark Thiessen told the Tribune School District 27 is pleased with the outcome of the Memorandum of Agreement.
He said the agreement ensured all teachers in the district had access to any posted position in which they were qualified for and had the seniority to secure the position, also noting that the agreement was signed by the CCTA, the B.C. Teachers’ Federation, the B.C. Public School Employer’s Association and the school district.
“Of the 18 teachers from Buffalo Creek, Glendale, and Kwaleen elementary schools, 14 of them maintained their full time status, three of them increased their full-time equivalent, and one chose to slightly decrease their FTE.
All teachers, other than retiring teachers, holding permanent positions at 100 Mile Junior, Williams Lake secondary, and Columneetza secondary maintained their FTE with transitions to PSO and Lake City secondary,” Thiessen said.
Thiessen also said that moving crews are on schedule, transferring teaching resources and teachers’ belongings from one school to another.
Transfers from Kwaleen are complete, and Buffalo Creek and 100 Mile Jr. are nearing completion, he said, while Glendale transfers, due to the alternate calendar just began last week.
Teachers, however are responsible for unpacking their own resources and setting up their new classrooms, he said.
Helmer had earlier raised concerns that teachers will have to spend part of their summer to organize their materials for the coming year.
As part of the changes to accommodate new students, the school district has also had to move three portables to Chilcotin Road in order to accommodate the influx of students from Kwaleen, said Thiessen.
“When the board decided to have all Kwaleen students attend Chilcotin Road, a third portable at Chilcotin Road became necessary,” he said.
Other elementary school students will be moving from Glendale to Cataline elementary (year-round program) and Nesika (French immersion) as part of changes in the school district taking effect this fall.