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The SCC is in a unique position to further promote partnerships between the city and School District 36. The school district has created Community School Coordinator positions and liaised with city staff to create community based programs at schools in low income neighbourhoods. The SCC, with candidates and incumbents on both council and the Board of Education, can expand these partnerships and look beyond extended school hours to capital partnerships.

Several municipalities in the lower mainland have implemented successful partnerships between their school districts, city staff and community associations. One such example is the partnership that created Cambie Secondary School in East Richmond. In 1995 the City of Richmond, SD 38 and the East Richmond Community Association worked together to create a combined high school and recreation centre that exemplifies what can be done when a board of trustees and council work towards a common goal.

There was a need for community recreation facilities and a school in the area and by combining the two; they were able to provide three gymnasiums and a host of other amenities that can be utilized by the school population and the entire community. The community centre occupies approximately 13% of the space with remaining 87% occupied by the school. A comprehensive operating agreement is in place and a joint planning committee meets quarterly and an operating committee meets every two months.

In Surrey, our Board of Trustees and city council work in isolation. There is a trustee on the Parks and Community Services committee that meets once a month. However, there are no joint meetings between the board and this committee, and senior staff meet infrequently.

By electing SCC candidates for council and school board the avenues of communication and cooperation can be vastly improved.  Surrey taxpayers would benefit from increased partnerships by having better access to current and future resources.

A key aspect to these types of agreements is the need for a fully funded education system so that these partnerships are not used to cut school board jobs. Surrey School district has the second lowest per pupil funding in the entire province. At $600 per student below the average this has created a shortfall of $39 million.

A unified voice from City Council and Surrey School Trustees will pressure our provincial government to give our students their fair share of funding. The Surrey Civic Coalition will stand up for Surrey’s children.

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