By Tom Mark

Literacy Teacher & Crossing Guard Included In Vernon Schools Budget

Apr 27, 2018 | 8:09 AM

Next year’s school budget in Vernon goes for final approval May 23rd and has taken some juggling to be balanced.

An unexpected surplus for this year will be moved to next year and will help add some items.

Board Chair Kelly Smith says one is a literacy intervention teacher.

“We thought our literacy teacher, the only way we could get a literacy teacher is by cutting school-based resource teachers. That no longer will happemn. We will not cut any school-based resource teachers.”

Meanwhile, the school district is forecasting an enrolment increase next year of 70 students.

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Beairsto School parents have finally been heard in their request for a crossing guard.

Next year’s budget allows for a crossing guard for an hour in the morning and and hour in the afternoon.

Board Chair Kelly Smith says after some study, it was deemed necessary.

“Our superintendent spent some time checking around with other districts. That is a pretty busy spot and a lot of children cross the road there so it seemed a very wise thing to do at this time.”

Smith says the person will be a CUPE member.

Ten thousand dollars is allotted in the budget and it will be a recurring position.

Parents lobbied hard to the board for a hired crossing guard, providing evidence, including pictures, of how dangerous the corner can be because of the traffic.

by Tom Mark