They have a meeting scheduled with administrative officers of the district's three secondary schools today. The PAC report identifies several other problems caused by restrictive budgets. In a survey conducted in the making of the report, teachers and counsellors said the school can't afford programs for gifted students while assistance for students with special needs has suffered deep cuts. It's a no-win, mediocrity level of education at the best. A public health nurse whose responsibilities include identifying students with Medic Alert conditions and compiling a list for school staff said the job isn't finished until late fall or early spring in some cases because of inadequate clerical support.
Counsellors complain of spending more time doing clerical jobs and less time helping students.
Equipment at the school is described as outdated and constantly breaking down. Gallo said parents decided to conduct the study soon after the school board rescinded a motion to close two schools. She also stressed that PAC isn't critical of teachers or administrators at the school. On the contrary, the advisory group praises them. We feel that the school has done an outstanding job under the conditions they are working under to accommodate the kids, but the situation can't go on.