The New Westminster school district deserves an 'A' for effort and a big pat on the back for getting its financial house in order and addressing some much-needed issues in the classrooms. In fact, we'd also like to add in the teacher's comment section: "If you continue to improve at this rate - you may be getting an A+ ons your next report card."
If you've followed the tattered financial history of our district - and most taxpayers have - you know that the district has had a lot of challenges to overcome. Small districts always do, but New West also had a split board, staff changes, low morale and, of course, they had to deal with an aging high school demanding time and effort.
So the turnaround in finances is not only admirable but speaks to both the board's and John Gaiptman's abilities.
As Jonina Campbell said in our front page story: "It'll be nice to actually go out and say, 'How would you like to spend this money we have?' versus, 'Where do you think we should cut?'" We agree.
Granted the hiring of six or seven teachers and the upgrade of computers and additional maintenance employees probably doesn't make up for previous cuts and losses. To avoid a shortfall during the 2013/14 school year, the equivalent of 61 positions were eliminated. Twenty-nine more were cut the following year, as well as the academic night school and part of the continuing education program - but at least it's not more cuts.
All of this good news will not, to be sure, drown out the concerns for the seismic safety of NWSS and other schools in the district, nor stop folks from asking when the new high school will be built. And nor should it. The district still has some gigantic challenges and much work to do.
But it should give taxpayers some confidence that their school board and school leadership is moving in the right direction. And that's a good thing.
