By Vanessa Ybarra

Kamloops teachers not impressed with one week spring break decision

Jan 19, 2017 | 3:58 PM

KAMLOOPS —Three days later, Kamloops Thompson Teachers’ Association says they are still struggling to come to terms with School District 73 trustees decision to go back to a one week spring break as of next year. 

“I was at the school board Monday, it was quite a shock,” said David Komljenovic, President of the Kamloops Thompson Teachers’ Association.

The KTTA says the district’s current two-week spring break provided much-needed relief for teachers struggling to keep up with overcrowded class sizes, among other changes.

“The reporting requirements changed last year, the working conditions haven’t improved,” said Komljenovic. “Teachers do a lot of preparation during those two weeks, it really isn’t a break. It’s an opportunity to get caught up.”

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Close to 600 KTTA members voiced their concerns in a survey.

Still, the board says it was extra daycare costs and the need for more family time that ultimately swayed them to vote 4-3 in favour of going back to the traditional model.

“Earlier in the evening we had information provided to us about the recent Early Development Index that’s run in Kamloops,” said Meghan Wade, Chairperson of School District 73 Board of Education.  “We have vulnerable students and vulnerable families in the district.”

Wade says trustees recognize the need for improved conditions in Kamloops schools.

“We’re fully aware of what’s going on in our classrooms,” added Wade.

According to the board, relief is coming soon for teachers.  

In early January the B.C. Government announced plans to inject $50-million into the province’s education system to improve class size and composition.

In Kamloops, that number translates to approximately $1.5 million and 27 teachers being hired.

Still, officials say it’s not enough to relieve stressed-out teachers.

“That really doesn’t translate into a lot,” said Komljenovic. “It seems like a lot, but it really is about a third of the staffing that’s needed to get back to the 2001 numbers.”

The KTTA says it remains firm in its commitment to return to two-week spring break.

The group is scheduled to present a counter argument to trustees on February 6th, a small relief in what Komljenovic calls a growing problem.

“I think it is a band-aid solution for what really is a public education system that’s in crisis,”