I’m concerned about the lack of transparency by Vancouver Public Schools leadership implementing the board-approved $35 million budget cuts. This lack of transparency includes the inability to follow the budget reduction plan.
VPS is currently prioritizing funding at central office over teaching and building level support. VPS spent $1,523,541 compared to Evergreen’s $578,942 in “Superintendent’s Office,” despite having nearly identical student population numbers (2023-24 VPS budget). Even after two rounds of layoffs at Evergreen, Evergreen’s summary of teaching full-time equivalent was 1,320 compared with 1,293 in VPS. Our students deserve to see this funding stay in the classroom where it directly benefits them.
You cannot take 20 percent of teachers out of secondary schools without dire consequences to student learning and graduation rates. The district continues to reassure the public that class sizes will remain reasonable, but the numbers don’t add up. Our children deserve better.
