Sidney Elementary School and Parkland Secondary are the two most underprivileged schools in the district, says Trustee Jason Price, and they could use more donations.
Price is putting out a plea for more people to consider making donations, or even bequeathments, to the local schools, which he clearly considers are the ‘have not’ facilities in School District 63 (Saanich). While the schools have excellent staff, he said, they have been chronically under-funded by the province for years — something he said needs to be rectified as they host students from families in some of the area’s lowest income categories.
“We have a gem of a school there (Sidney Elementary),” Price said.
“Yet, it serves the poorest demographic in terms of all the District’s other schools.”
He added that 10 per cent of the school’s population are indigenous children and there are other students giving Sidney Elementary a high percentage of kids with disabilities.
“The need is high for children here,” Price said.
While education funding is a provincial responsibility, Price said people have to be pragmatic.
“I just don’t see a large pot of money going into education soon. It’s a false hope,” he added, noting that this is despite the recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling that forces the province to put more money into classrooms to address class size.
That cash won’t necessarily help children in need or with learning issues, he said.
And while the province funds schools based on their enrolment, that covers the basics, Price said, and might not go far enough. For years, that’s where parent advisory councils (PACs) came in. They were created to link parents with their children’s schools — and to raise money for the ‘nice-to-haves’. Price said, however, their capacity to raise money is limited, as they depend on volunteer parents, and fundraising is not their main reason for being.
That’s why Price is hoping to attract more people in Sidney and on the Saanich Peninsula into making donations — either directly, or through estate planning.
“We have the capacity in this community to be able to ad one more deserving charity. It’s a chance for people to take an interest and have a say as to what happens in their local school.”
Price added extra money will help educators reach more children with a variety of programs.
“There’s so many people there doing incredible things. Yet, they are having to do those things on the cheap.”
In the case of Sidney Elementary, the school district was approached around two years ago to sell a portion of their property to the Town of Sidney for its new community safety building. Asked if that could have put more money into the school’s bank account,Price said not necessarily.
“The money wouldn’t have belonged to the school,” he explained. “It would go to the provincial government and not necessarily get into the school’s budget.”
As well, he said school trustees did decide that having a fire hall next to the elementary school meant a loss of potential and real educational space.
Price is making the ask for new donations from the community while putting up his own money at the same time.
When he ran for the school board of trustees, he pledged to donate 10 per cent of his net trustee pay every two weeks. That amount is now up to $1,000.
One of the first extra projects already under way at Sidney Elementary, the a conversion of its library into a ‘learning commons.’ Price said the concept, taking shape in many other district schools, is to create a space for multiple learning opportunities. The budget for the project is $35,000 and the school district has $20,000. Price said the school has to come up with the last $15,000 — and that’s an example of where community donations can help.
Another area in need is the track at Parkland Secondary. It’s been in disrepair for years. Local field user groups are already trying to raise money to replace it and public donations could add to their campaign.
Price said public donations should never replace adequate public funding of local schools — yet he said there are some clear areas that will not get money — or it will take years.
He added improving local schools should be a higher priority for local elected officials as well.
In Sidney’s case — a town with a stated goal of attracting more young families — Price said vibrant schools can be a selling point.