UPDATE:  The 2009 - 2010 VCPAC Calendar of Events has been posted (with correction to the May General Meeting date)

Note:  The 2010 Vancouver Island Parent Conferene has been cancelled.

PAC Funding Cuts ARE Classroom Cuts

Parent Advisory Councils executives from across the Greater Victoria School District will be meeting next Thursday to discuss the impact of the proposed reduction in direct access grants to PACs.

"The reduction in grants will pressure PACs to either do more fundraising or divert more of their fundraised money to extracurricular activities", said John Bird, President of the Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils. "The first option takes PACs away from their primary responsibility of advising the school and the second redirects funds that are frequently deployed directly to classroom activities. Either way, our children lose."

Since 1998, when the government of the day decided to get more involved in gaming, net profits have risen 382%. The following chart shows the growth pattern.

In 2002, grants for parent advisory councils were set at $20.00 per student. Since that time, this rate hasn’t changed until the current proposal of $10.00 per student recently indicated by the BC Government. The following chart shows the percentage change in PAC/DPAC grants compared to the percentage change in gaming profits.

VCPAC is conducting further research into the issue and will release further information next week.

Is your school planning a community event or musical production?  Are you looking for a family activity?  These can be added to our Community Calendar.