It has been 1 month since I was told by the office of @AdrianaLaGrange that my concerns regarding the education cuts would be answered by the minister "directly" and "ASAP". However, the story of this missing reply is a ride I did not want to go on

/1

On Apr 3 I contacted both my MLA ( @RonOrrMLA) and the EDC office in response to an email they sent to address my concerns over the mass layoffs taking place in May. Ron forwarded my 4 specific concerns to the EDC office so they could be properly addressed

/2

After a few correspondences, I was told that I would get a direct response from the minister and that they were hoping for it to be "ASAP". Success! Instead, on May 6 I received the EXACT same copy and paste email I had been sent in the first place. Yup.

/3

The EDC office replied to me with the same email I had initially replied to. I got sent the same email. 3 times. I'm not upset that they had a standard response, I'm upset that when I tried to respond to it, they resent it again but ~4 weeks later.

/4

Frustration level is maxed. Ron redirected my questions (for the second time) to help me get a proper response. 6 days ago I sent the questions again and still, nothing. With the state of September unknown, I worry that my concerns will apply again in the 20-21 school year

/5

Maybe I'll receive an answer by June 27, one month after I tweet my 4 concerns.

1) ELL students might not be able to participate in online learning very easily. EAs could've helped by providing small online sessions for these students. Teachers only have so much time in a day

2) You note that PUF funding is not getting cut this year. That's great but what about for older students who don't qualify for PUF? You brag about keeping PUF (but cutting it next year btw) meanwhile you cut the support for the larger group of students?

3) The UCP said that many school boards were planning layoffs but there seems to be no evidence for this. Why didn't you consult the boards on how important EAs are during the online school sessions?

4) This is not about pay or EI. You promised these funds, live. You guaranteed them. Your copy and paste email does not even address this.

So after 2 months, 16 sent emails, multiple redirections, 25000 jobs lost, 3 copies of the same email, and one bajillion tweets about this, here I am. I also accidentally closed my browser the first time I wrote all this and it didn't save. I just want the best for our students

I worry about Sept. EAs are vital to the success of so many students. If we start online next year, what happens to the EAs? The bus drivers? These people who are "non-essential workers" are beyond important in the lives of our students
#abed @shoffmanAB

/thread