OSSTF encourages concerned parents to attend school board meeting

OSSTF News Release

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Parents, grandparents, members of the community and all education workers who are concerned about the cuts to special education are encouraged to attend the June monthly meeting of the Near North District School Board on Tuesday, June 26 starting at 6:00 pm.

“Everyone should be concerned about the affects the large number of education assistant layoffs will have on our special education students”, said Chris Perry, President of the EA/PSSP Bargaining Unit of District 4 OSSTF. “This is the time for all parents to voice their concerns to the trustees and administration while there is still time before September to correct this situation,” added Perry.

To date the board has not passed its 2007/2008 budget at a board meeting and it is expected that this will happen this coming Tuesday.

“OSSTF believes that the trustees did not spend sufficient time deliberating and exploring other ways to save money,” said Keith Pacey, OSSTF District 4 President and President of the Teachers’ Bargaining Unit of District 4 OSSTF. “It is our hope that parents, grandparents and concerned community members will fill the North Bay board office and the video conferencing sites at Almaguin Secondary School and Parry Sound High School,” Pacey concluded.

For those people who can not attend the meeting on Tuesday evening, OSSTF encourages them to let the trustees know how they feel by emailing them at the addresses listed under “Boardroom” on the board’s website www.nearnorthschools.ca.

For more information contact Keith Pacey at 472-1408 or 494-5382.

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