The Editor,
Re. "School deficit is $8M" (The Tri-City News, April 12).
Well, well, well, here we are in another fine mess. In 2002, my son was in Grade 2 at Cedarbrook elementary, one of three schools closed due to the School District 43's budget debacle. I can't begin to describe the stress that parents, students, teachers and administrators went through that year. Unfortunately, I remember it all too well.
My son, now in Grade 12, will be finished with the public school system in a few more weeks and I'm thrilled. This year's budget shortfall has already created stress as our school's principal has scrambled to return money earmarked for much-needed supplies and other things.
Port Moody Trustee Melissa Hyndes was on the board in 2002. Last week, she was quoted in The Tri-City News saying "Mistakes were made. No doubt about it. Now that they've been made and we've seen what the problem is, now is the time we can move to make it right."
Really? After more than 10 years on the board, mistakes of this magnitude are being made? Why was no one watching and analyzing the numbers and forecasts closely enough to take action to prevent a $12-million deficit?
I have a pretty good idea how you're going to "make this right," Ms. Hyndes. To start, good teachers will lose their jobs.
Shame on you. It's time for new blood and fresh ideas on the board, and I know exactly where the cuts should start. If I had this to do all over again with my kids, I would have put them in private school.
Debra Purdy Kong,
Port Moody
