The Nelson District Teachers Association says it is good news to have more direct funding in the classroom.
But President Paul Boscariol adds a decision by SD 8 to allocate most of a one-off budget surplus to teachers doesn’t cover past shortages and pressures.
He says about half a million is going to teachers, but last year for example, almost $400,000 wasn’t spent on wages and salaries when teachers and support staff were absent.
Boscariol figures the $500,000 for teachers next term may result in about 10 extra part-time positions across the whole district.
Given pressures at the Nelson and Creston high schools alone he figures it’ll be “dribs and drabs” as he puts it.