The recent decision by some school districts to cancel recess while the teachers are on a legal job action brings to mind some serious questions regarding the thinking of some current school district administrations.
First off, I think that parents and the public know where the buck stops in this situation and in this case it is in the hands of district administration. The Labour Relations Board (LRB) has declared the withdrawal of certain services as well within the law. One of those services is “before/after school, recess or noon hour supervision. They have said that these supervisions “will continue to be provided by teachers subject to the Employer utilizing management and excluded staff to the best extent possible to replace teachers for these activities.” Therefore teachers cannot be required to do supervision unless all available management and excluded staff have been utilized.
But what has happened in those districts where they have decided to cancel recess? Have they utilized all management personnel? School District 23 (Central Okanagan) says they don’t have enough people to take over that 15 minutes per day. SD23 has at least twice as many administrators and excluded staff, in the district, as they have schools. Surely they can find enough administrators to take on that short but rewarding task of being with the children during recess. What’s the problem? And in case they have misinterpreted the LRB ruling, if they truly have used all of their management staff then they can legitimately request that teachers do that work. They aren’t doing that why? Is it because they haven’t utilized management staff to the best extent possible?
They have been given choices by the LRB. Why have they chosen the meanest solution by cancelling recess?
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