The president of the New Westminster Teachers' Union said teachers were "stunned" and "shocked" to learn about the district's $2.8 million deficit, and he wants the district to do a better job of communicating.
Grant Osborne and two parents spoke at the board of education's meeting on Tuesday night, where they called for the district to consider how it reports the district's deficit.
"Communication is the only thing that can bring confidence that this deficit will be handled - communication to all stakeholders," Osborne said.
District parent advisory council members Rob Peregoodoff and Kal Randhawa echoed the call for clear communication.
Peregoodoff also asked that parents be included in the financial fold.
"We again ask that parent be invited in the process as we work through this situation," he said.
Randhawa questioned the district's plans to deal with the deficit.
Trustee Casey Cook agreed that the district needs to do more to communicate with the public and suggested the district use its website to communicate with the public on the deficit and the recovery plan. He said it's important not just that the district take action to address the deficit, but that it is "seen" to be doing it.
Secretary-treasurer Brian Sommerfeldt said the district has taken some initial steps in the deficit recovery plan.
The following measures are effective immediately: there is a ban on all overtime without the prior approval of the secretary-treasurer; current job postings that remain unfilled will be reviewed by senior staff; future requests for job postings must be accompanied by a business case/justification and will also be reviewed by senior staff; requests for supplemental staffing require the approval of the secretary-treasurer.
