Band, lay of the wah-wah pedal

EDITOR’S NOTE: This undated letter was sent to the Okanagan Skaha School District 67 sometime in February.

Dear Editor:

Re: School District 67 Budget

The budgetary situation facing School District 67 is regrettable, possibly avoidable. However, it is time for the band of criticism to lay off the wah wah pedal. Too much amplification.

Every year schools are staffed and resourced based on a per pupil funding formula set by Victoria. Schools are staffed and resourced based on the anticipated number of students which will be in each grade in each school on Sept. 30—bottoms actually in seats close to six months after projections are made.

The dollars the school district actually receives change with every student who moves in or out of district, or does not show up for Sept. 30. Individual school allocations change for both those moves and in district transfers.

Our local school board does not control family moves, does not control the financing formula, and must meet contractual obligations to teachers and support staff. Pessimistic planning unduly restricts school organizations which can then be expanded in September/October, but not without a ton of disruption.

Overly optimistic planning encourages school organization that can then not be maintained in September/October. Again, major student and staff disruption. The sweet balance, in my time, seemed to be tempered pessimism, with optimistic options. Not easily achieved in a free society.

It is timely to remember the amalgamation of the Summerland and Penticton School District. Yes, we hollowed when there were losses of resources as a result. Particularly losses in the smaller Summerland.

But those losses — efficiencies, to the provincial government — were government’s intended results.

In my time, I always whined at the “pessimistic resourcing” given to plan school organizations. As a principal and as an Assistant Superintendent. And I always celebrated whatever “belt loosening” we could herald in October. Wiser minds kept that balance.

The situation facing SD 67 this year is the opposite. And I suspect that the situation has more to do with the unanticipated and cockeyed optimism than malice. Thank you Murphy and his laws.

The current public thrashing of the board and staff is, however, too much wah wah. The band of critics should not want to discourage prudent future planning.

The worst, but safest, future path to avoid short falls is to be overly pessimistic in planning—-a path more politically safe but much more disruptive for students, staff and parent. Bad outcome.

Let’s face, regret, and learn from this fiscal experience. But enough wah wah amplification, already. Dave Stigant Assistant Superintendent (retired) Okanagan Skaha School District