Many people in the crowd are expected to play their musical instruments. Planned speakers at the district offices include Indigenous music teacher Alana Johnson; Cindy Romphf, president of the Greater Victoria Music Educators’ Association; Jane Massey of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 947; and Winona Waldron, president of the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association. The school district budget is set for approval on Monday. District secretary-treasurer Kim Morris said the district has tried to be responsive to some of the feedback it has been getting throughout the budgeting process. The plan is to start the next budget process earlier so there is more time for input, said Morris, noting tough decisions had to be made to deal with a $7-million deficit in a $253-million budget.
Many people in the crowd are expected to play their musical instruments.
Planned speakers at the district offices include Indigenous music teacher Alana Johnson; Cindy Romphf, president of the Greater Victoria Music Educators’ Association; Jane Massey of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 947; and Winona Waldron, president of the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association.
The school district budget is set for approval on Monday.
District secretary-treasurer Kim Morris said the district has tried to be responsive to some of the feedback it has been getting throughout the budgeting process.
The plan is to start the next budget process earlier so there is more time for input, said Morris, noting tough decisions had to be made to deal with a $7-million deficit in a $253-million budget.
Several demonstrations featuring student performers have been held in recent weeks because of proposed cuts to music programs in the district. Saturday’s gathering, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., comes two days before the school board passes its 2021-22 budget, with music and a number of other items facing cuts. The board is trying to balance the budget despite a $7-million deficit. So far, cuts have included time dedicated to vice-principal duties. More than $1 million in music programs including Grade 6, 7 and 8 band, Grade 5 strings, middle-school strings and choirs, and a district ukulele program have faced the axe. Also under threat are educational assistants, a primary-grades reading program for students who need extra help, youth and family counsellors, programs for gifted students and the hiring of clerical staff, including library clerks.