The New Westminster school district has reworked its plans for increased supervision at NWSS.
The district is adding $91,589 to its budget in 2023-24 to add supervisors and youth workers at New Westminster Secondary School.
Student safety and behaviour has been an ongoing issue this school year, with incidents including pepper-spraying, firecrackers, washroom fires, vandalism and vaping in washrooms. Adding the supervision hours is one part of School District 40’s strategy to combat the problems.
The newly budgeted money will allow the district to hire two noon-hour supervisors (working four-hour shifts) and two more youth care workers (working six-hour shifts).
Originally the district had proposed having four noon-hour supervisors, at a cost of $23,944.
But that idea stirred up discussion after it was raised during superintendent Karim Hachlaf’s budget recommendations to the school board on May 2.
At the time, representatives from the district parent advisory council (DPAC) questioned how effective adding noon-hour supervisors would be.
DPAC chair Laura Kwong told the board the students have “zero regard” for noon-hour supervisors. Vice-chair Kathleen Carlsen said that, while noon-hour supervisors work well in elementary schools, they’re not treated with respect by high school students.
Both suggested child and youth care workers would be a better option — a thought echoed by trustee Dee Beattie, who said youth workers are better at establishing relationships with students.
Secretary-treasurer Bettina Ketcham said the district reconsidered its original plan based on the feedback it received.
“Equally as important is the district’s commitment to training of existing and new supervisors so that they have the skillsets necessary to effectively monitor student activity,” said a school district budget report.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected]
