Two hundred Vancouver teachers to be laid off, says school board

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      Two hundred and twenty seven teachers in the Vancouver district will be laid off this summer, the school board announced today (May 4).

      “This is a very difficult time for many of our employees and we’re trying to do our utmost to ensure this is done as professionally and fairly as possible,” Superintendent Steve Cardwell said in a school board news release.

      “We’re optimistic that as per past years, we’ll be able to rehire a majority of our teachers in the coming months,” Cardwell said.

      The layoffs are effective June 30.

      The district blamed the move on a number of factors including declining enrolment, teachers returning from leaves of absence, and fewer retirements than expected. However, the district ruled out budget cuts as a direct cause.

      According to the news release, the layoff-related decisions were made by a committee representing the school board and the district teachers’ associations.

      Comments

      7 Comments

      Word

      May 4, 2012 at 4:48pm

      That'll teach 'em.

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      OldCynic

      May 4, 2012 at 5:09pm

      Reminds me of when hospitals close due to some job action by nurses or doctors: the mortality rate decreases. I wonder if the young drones get any smarter from not being in school. Less teachers means higher intelligence??

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      Please report more on this

      May 4, 2012 at 8:26pm

      I don't understand what happens each year.

      My kid's Kindergarten teacher got a lay-off notice. She expects to be teaching again next year - or at least, she hopes.

      Why isn't the union demanding more stability for young teachers? Why isn't the union pushing retirement-ready teachers out the door, to create real jobs for new teachers?

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      Just being me.

      May 4, 2012 at 10:12pm

      Seriously??? This liberal government has to go!! They still follow Campbell's agenda. He's a bigger prick than Harper.

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      blueheron

      May 6, 2012 at 6:32pm

      All the more reason to homeschool your children.
      Teachers' unions are ruining the education system.

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      Sheeple

      May 7, 2012 at 6:02pm

      The School Board should vacate that 5 Star Office in Vancouver move to East Van save at least 50%.

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      Spider

      May 8, 2012 at 9:16pm

      In Ontario teachers retire at the 85 factor (usually 55 years of age). However, in BC the teachers retire at the 90 factor (usually 58 years of age). Why doesn't the province realize that they could save so much money by letting teachers retire with a full pension earlier? It is much cheaper to pay a young teacher at 40,000 rather than an older one at 81,000.

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