As many as 32 Tri-City middle school students do not attend class even though they and their parents know it's the law and harmful to their future.
School District 43 has identified the group of anxious or reluctant learners who for various reasons aren't showing up for class and is recommending a pilot project to re-engage them with their home school.
But with funding tight and barely enough cash to cover current needs, the so-called middle school pilot has been put on hold in next year's budget.
Approximately $155,000 is needed for a teacher and a counsellor to work directly with the students but no targeted money is available. That's a disappointment to Scott Creek middle principal Judy Robb, who has some reluctant learners at her school and is worried about them.
"We can't afford to lose any one of them," said Robb, who added schools have been reaching out to both parents and students through home visits, health workers and social workers but haven't been able to get the students back in the classroom.
"This is their chance. How do we expect them to transition to high school?" said Robb, who fears the students will never catch up to their peers if they miss too much school.
Assistant superintendent Julie Pearce said the district is aware of the problem and has proposed the pilot program to link students with a teacher and a youth worker who could employ different strategies to get them through the school door.
According to Pearce and Robb, middle school drop-outs have become a growing concern among educators but until funds are available, the pilot program is stalled.
Robb, who is also the president of the Coquitlam Principals' and Vice-Principals' Association, made her pitch for funds for the program at a public meeting Tuesday on the 2011/'12 budget. She also reiterated concerns about lack of custodial support at schools and said principals are swamped with teaching assignments that make it difficult for them to be leaders.
Like the middle school pilot, custodial time for small schools and supplies are on the district's wish-list because there is not enough funding in the budget to pay for them.
