At the present time, the Vancouver School Board (VSB) is going through their 2014/2015 budgeting process. The current projected shortfall is approximately $12 million, and in order to balance the budget the VSB has put forward a number of proposals for service and program cuts. Details on the full list can be found on the VSB website or through the following link:

http://www.vsb.bc.ca/sites/default/files/2014-2015%20Preliminary%20Budget%20Proposals%20Report%20%28April%208%202014%29.pdf

Included in the proposals is an adjustment to the VSB school calendar for the 2014-2015 calendar year through the addition of three more days when school will not be in session. These dates are proposed to be in November 2014 (November 12, 13 and 14). This is in addition to maintaining the current nearly monthly Professional Development/District Closure days, two weeks at Christmas, and two weeks for spring break.

The VSB proposes to add an additional 5 minutes to each school day in order to make up for the closure in November. In our opinion this does not, in any way, make up for the loss of three full days in class.We do not support and are strongly against this proposal for additional school closure days. In addition to the impact on our children, how are working families to manage the out of school care that will need to be found? Not only is it a financial burden, but there is also a shortage of options available.

We are frustrated with the Provincial Government's insufficient funding for education and with many of the program cuts and losses in service proposed by the VSB to make up for the budget shortfall, with the above being but one example. Our children are our future, and yet we continue to erode the quality of one of their basic building blocks for life - their education.

By signing this petition, you are joining us in opposing the Vancouver School Board's proposal for additional school closure days for the 2014/2015 school year.

Please spread the word by forwarding this petition through email, facebook, twitter and more. We have until April 28, 2014 to have our voices heard!