On Friday the Sask Party Government announced it had reached a deal with the Saskatchewan School Boards Association on allocating the new money announced by the government earlier this week.
The province says the four-year agreement guarantees base funding of $356.6 million annually for classroom supports, including increased investment in youth mental health resources.
STF President Samantha Becotte is concerned the agreement doesn’t include language to guarantee the boards will spend that money on classroom supports.
When funds are “restricted” the school boards can only spend the money for what it is intended. “Un-restricted” means the money can be used for other purposes.
Becotte notes the school trustees were given this agreement, and told they had 24 hours to look it over, and agree to it.
Becotte says including this funding at the bargaining table with teachers would put it in the collective agreement, ensuring the money is spent on class size, class complexity and other student support needs.
“Today, we are encouraging the Minister of Education to bring an amended version of this MOU to the table, where bargaining can happen, and we can put it into the contract. Sanctions (job action) can end and we can get a new deal” Becotte said.
“If government is willing to negotiate on the items addressed within the memorandum of understanding and bring this to back to the table, we believe an agreement can be reached quickly.”
The teachers have said next week’s job action will include a province-wide ban on extra curricular activities Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
