April 16, 2025
District and community team advocates for SD40 in Victoria
New Westminster Schools’ district and community team travelled to Victoria on April 9 to bring to the Provincial Government’s attention the district’s funding challenges. Serving children in one of Canada’s fastest densifying cities, New Westminster Schools has significant and unique needs.
Board of Education Chair Maya Russell, Vice-Chair Cheryl Sluis, and Superintendent Mark Davidson were joined by Principal Ken Millard, New Westminster District Parent Advisory Council Chair Laura Kwong, New Westminster Teachers’ Union President Kristie Oxley, and Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 409 President Karrie Andrews.
The team’s advocacy revolved around New Westminster Schools’ capacity challenges, budget shortfalls, and the need to introduce more mental and physical health support services for students in schools.
Highlights from the team’s agenda include:
- Securing government funding for land to build a new middle school.
- Obtaining final funding approval for the Simcoe Elementary project.
- Obtaining increased education funding to cover rising costs – which come out of classrooms – brought on by factors such as inflation.
- Establishing an Integrated Child and Youth Team in the district to provide youth mental health services.