In his letter (The NEWS, July 29) Jim Lettic is incorrect in his assumption that teachers in this district have not considered the needs of our students come September.
Here are the facts:
• We chose not to picket False Bay Elementary in order for the new generator to be installed on Lasqueti Island.
• We also withdrew our pickets from Errington Elementary in order for work to proceed on the boiler being replaced.
• Teachers also made sure that our pickets did not interfere with the start of any summer recreation programs in our communities. These decisions were made with our communities, our parents, and our students in mind.
• Finally, we decided in the second week of July to cease picketing at all schools in order to allow CUPE workers to prepare schools for students in September.
In the meantime, teachers are out in the community rallying to keep alive our concerns over our working conditions and the learning conditions of our students.
There is much more at stake in this dispute that will impact the learning conditions in classrooms than not having this district’s reconfiguration completed on time.
Debbie Morran, president Mount Arrowsmith Teachers’ Association
Parksville