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[Thread] If your child is a K-12 student in @sd61schools, you need to know that the district is planning $7M in cuts in 21/22. We MUST ask trustees about why these cuts must be made in the middle of a pandemic: https://www.sd61.bc.ca/board-of-education/about-the-board/
@JordanWatters_ @RobPaynterSD61
@JordanWatters_ @RobPaynterSD61
[Thread] Superintendent Shelley Green announced $7M in @sd61schools cuts to district staff on Friday, April 9, right before the weekend. There was no public announcement. You can read Green's letter to staff here: https://bit.ly/3tc8DK7
![[Thread] Superintendent Shelley Green announced $7M in @sd61schools cuts to district staff on Friday, April 9, right before the weekend. There was no public announcement. You can read Green's letter to staff here: https://bit.ly/3tc8DK7](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyuvR0CVoAEpRTN.jpg "[Thread] Superintendent Shelley Green announced $7M in @sd61schools cuts to district staff on Friday, April 9, right before the weekend. There was no public announcement. You can read Green's letter to staff here: https://bit.ly/3tc8DK7")
![[Thread] Superintendent Shelley Green announced $7M in @sd61schools cuts to district staff on Friday, April 9, right before the weekend. There was no public announcement. You can read Green's letter to staff here: https://bit.ly/3tc8DK7](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyuvTOpVEAEgv6S.jpg "[Thread] Superintendent Shelley Green announced $7M in @sd61schools cuts to district staff on Friday, April 9, right before the weekend. There was no public announcement. You can read Green's letter to staff here: https://bit.ly/3tc8DK7")
[Thread] To recap, @sd61schools Superintendent Green is proposing $7M in cuts in 21/22. If unbelievable, read the letter (previous tweet). This is programming/operations, not capital, is approx 70 FTE teaching positions (hopefully @JordanWatters_ @RobPaynterSD61 can confirm).
[Thread] In the letter, Superintendent Green provides no particular rationale for $70M in cuts. Green does refer to a funding announcement from @bcedplan. Did Ministry of Education cut funding to schools? Change funding? Can @JordanWatters_ or @RobPaynterSD61 clarify?
![[Thread] In the letter, Superintendent Green provides no particular rationale for $70M in cuts. Green does refer to a funding announcement from @bcedplan. Did Ministry of Education cut funding to schools? Change funding? Can @JordanWatters_ or @RobPaynterSD61 clarify?](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eyuw_dgUYAIORfV.jpg "[Thread] In the letter, Superintendent Green provides no particular rationale for $70M in cuts. Green does refer to a funding announcement from @bcedplan. Did Ministry of Education cut funding to schools? Change funding? Can @JordanWatters_ or @RobPaynterSD61 clarify?")
[Thread] More alarmingly, in the April 9 letter, Superintendent Green states the @sd61schools must "live within its means." What does this mean for students in the context of the pandemic? What does this mean to staff who are stressed out without worrying about losing their jobs?
![[Thread] More alarmingly, in the April 9 letter, Superintendent Green states the @sd61schools must "live within its means." What does this mean for students in the context of the pandemic? What does this mean to staff who are stressed out without worrying about losing their jobs?](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyuyDHTUcAIE2nW.jpg "[Thread] More alarmingly, in the April 9 letter, Superintendent Green states the @sd61schools must \"live within its means.\" What does this mean for students in the context of the pandemic? What does this mean to staff who are stressed out without worrying about losing their jobs?")
[Thread] To recap, @sd61schools Superintendent Green says the $7M cuts in 21/22 (in just one year!) are due to @bcedplan funding decision (a fact) and "need to live within our means" (ideological). However...
[Thread] However, the $7M "deficit" is due to a proposed change by the @sd61schools secretary treasure to accounting and carry-over. @RobPaynterSD61 has more details: https://twitter.com/RobPaynterSD61/status/1380976626146537472
[Thread] So, the questions are:
> Is there really a $7M "deficit"?
> Why are we changing accounting practices in the middle of a pandemic?
> Why are we imposing such massive cuts in ONE YEAR???
> Is there really a $7M "deficit"?
> Why are we changing accounting practices in the middle of a pandemic?
> Why are we imposing such massive cuts in ONE YEAR???
[Thread] To recap, @sd61schools is going to cut $7M in ONE YEAR next year. Parents, grandparents, caregivers, voters *all have a voice*. For example, did you know Superintendent Green intends to basically eliminate music education in middle school? https://twitter.com/sarahpvictoria/status/1380936277004931072
[Thread] To achieve $7M in programming cuts in JUST ONE YEAR, Superintendent Green is proposing limiting music ed to just Grade 8. Removing Music education from @sd61schools schools is an attack on equity, and an attack on community.
[Thread] Removing Music from @sd61schools schools is an attack on equity, an attack on community. Equity: SD 61 middle school music is 
. My son got into @uvicMusic largely based on 3 years of music in middle school. Unlike UVic classmates, he didn't need to pay for lessons.
. My son got into @uvicMusic largely based on 3 years of music in middle school. Unlike UVic classmates, he didn't need to pay for lessons.
[Thread] Removing Music from @sd61schools schools is an attack on community. Parents, grandparents, caregivers, friends, students themselves devote 1000s of hours to fundraise, purchase equipment. Music is OUR community, and SD 61 is proposing taking it away. cc @JordanWatters_
[Thread] My thread on @sd61schools's plan to cut $70M of program funding (how many jobs will be lost?) in one year is just to arrange my thoughts. I will be contacting trustees, ministry, MLAs, parents, media. I hope you will too. This is not about Music. This is about equity.
