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Linda Stromberg and the Ad Hoc Committee deserves a lot of credit for their continued hard work to keep the need for Capital Funding for Surrey Schools in the spotlight.

But it’s a shame the education crisis got to this point in the first place.

We can only hope the hard work of these individuals and the citizens of Surrey helps Minister Falcon to see the desperate situation caused by six years of neglect, six year of saying no to capital funding for new schools.

For the sake of the families in Surrey, I will remain optimistic but here we are in October and still no word from Minister Falcon or Minister Abbott.

Even worse, the current Board of Education remains quiet.

Surrey deserves a Board of Education that will keep the communication lines open and lobby for the needs of Surrey schools.

I am hoping that the families of Surrey will embrace the letter writing campaign that Linda Stromberg is calling for (Letter to Editor – Surrey Leader, September 29). I have written mine, below, I urge you to do the same.

Finance Minister and Deputy Premier Kevin Falcon
#108-17700 No. 10 Hwy.
Surrey, B.C.
V3S 1C7

Dear Minister Falcon,

Surrey students are in desperate need of new schools now. The overcrowding at most Surrey schools has become unbearable. There are currently two high schools, Lord Tweedsmuir, in your riding, and Earl Marriott on extended day schedules. If Surrey does not receive the funding it needs now, there is no doubt that other high schools will be extending their schedules. Is this what you want?  If families really do come first you, Premier Clark, Minister Abbott and the Treasury Board will work hard to find a way to solve this problem.

As a resident of Surrey you know first hand that Surrey continues to grow at a rapid pace, we need schools now. Precious school funding is being wasted on portables. This money needs to be used for teachers, specialist teachers, support staff and much needed resources.

Public education should be a priority for the government of British Columbia. All students deserve the opportunity to be the best that they can be, they are the future of this province. The Government of B.C. needs to step up to the plate and enable the students, parents, teachers, support staff and administrators to do their job in the best way possible.  Education of our young people is of utmost importance to families, the economic well-being and future of our province.

Sincerely,

Charlene Dobie

Cc Premier Clark
Cc Minister Abbott
Cc Harry Bains, MLA
Cc Linda Stromberg, Ad Hoc Committee

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