Rainbow board scrambling to compress school year

While the OSSTF said it will strike again June 10 — when it's legally allowed to do so — the province is looking to pass back-to-work legislation for the boards this week, making another strike this term unlikely.

Rainbow Board chair Doreen Dewar said the board is not considering extending the school year beyond June 26, the scheduled last day of school. However, the board has applied to the ministry for permission to cancel high school exams, and instead use the remaining time for instruction.

“We're going to have to prioritize the curriculum material to make sure that we cover the prerequisites that are needed to enter post-secondary schools,” Dewar said.

She said the board's senior staff have been looking at how to compress the curriculum, although Dewar said she has confidence in the abilities of teachers as well.

“There's no doubt that we have very professional teachers, and they are going to be a big part of ensuring our students achieve success this year,” she said.

Beyond academics, Dewar said most graduations will go ahead. She said she only knows of one that has been deferred to the fall.

OSSTF District 3 president James Clyke said his members had little time to prepare for their return to work today, given the labour relations board only issued its ruling yesterday evening.

He had requested a day for them to prepare, but the Rainbow board refused. Dewar, however, said she thinks things went well.

“When we consider how late in the day the word came out, I think we mobilized and worked very quickly,” she said. “From everything that I've heard, it has been a smooth startup. So we very much appreciate that.”