VSB's lone Green Party trustee could hold swing vote in budget decision

Vancouver School Board's lone Green Partytrustee could hold the swing vote as trustees vote tonight on the district'sproposed budget cut.

• VSB budget cuts would eliminate 200 jobs, increase class sizes
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The board which is evenlydivided between Vision Vancouver and NPA trustees will have to vote onwhether they are in favour of the proposed budget, which includes $24 million in cuts to programs and teaching positions.

"It's a very difficult decision," said JanetFraser,Vancouver School Board Green Party trustee.

The cuts will impactspecial education, the elementary band and strings program and will mean doing away with more than 200 jobs to make up for the largest budget shortfall the board has ever faced.

Lesser of two evils

"If we vote to approve a balanced budget with $24 million in cuts, there will be those cuts."

"If we don't approve that budget we will be dismissed as a board and an official trustee will be appointed by the minister andthen they will balancethe budget," she predicts.

Fraser said that would meanlocally elected trustees will not be in control of the school district.

Protest vote

Teachers and parents are pushing for a vote against the cuts.

• Protesters rally against Vancouver School Board's proposed band and strings program cuts

Vancouver School Board chair andVision trustee Mike Lombardihas said he plans to vote 'no' in protest.

Frasersaid thatmay be better in the long-run for students.

"If we do make a protest vote, I would like to think people would think more about education in the next provincial election," she said.

With files from the CBC's The Early Edition and Catherine Rolfsen.

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