Squamish schools were tested for lead
The province asked the school district to test its water for lead contamination,
Secretary-treasurer Shehzad Somji said five schools in the Squamish area were tested and were found to be within the acceptable levels of lead content outlined in the Canadian drinking water standards.
Another five schools will be tested in 2018.
Updated provincial budget
The Sea to Sky School District may see some savings as a result of the budget recently announced by B.C.’s new government.
At the latest board meeting, secretary-treasurer Shehzad Somji listed several changes to the provincial budget that will be affecting schools in the Squamish area.
MSP premiums will be reduced by 50 per cent as of Jan.1 next year, resulting in annual savings of $330,000.
PST rates will be cut in half for electric bills in the fall. However, it’s still unclear how much that will save the school district.
Carbon taxes will increase by $5 per tonne – a 17 per cent increase – starting April 1. That is expected to cost the school district $7,000.
A classroom enhancement fund is expected to carve out $137 million provincewide to pay for costs associated with the teachers’ ruling that will see more educators hired and classroom sizes shrunk.
However, the amount that will go to Squamish’s school district remains to be seen.
The province is also expected to be fully funding enrolment growth.
Special grants will continue to be given for programs such as student transportation, and it’s expected school districts will have an increased capital budget for 2017 and 2018.
Gender neutral bathrooms
Don Ross has created single-occupant, gender-neutral bathrooms on its main floor.
Supt. Lisa McCullough said that while there are communal washrooms open to everyone, the school recognized sometimes everyone needs a little privacy.
Schools cramped
Increasing enrolment and class size changes related to last year’s teachers ruling has local schools feeling the squeeze.
Supt. Lisa McCullough says space was tight in many Sea to Sky schools.
Mamquam Elementary added another division to accommodate increased student numbers.
Portables are expected to be added at Garibaldi Highlands Elementary in October.
Valleycliffe Elementary didn’t end up needing its additional renovated classroom, though it now serves as the school’s only multi-purpose room.
