Vancouver board posts school closure list

The Vancouver School Board has released a list of the schools it might have to close in order to deal with an $18-million budget shortfall.

Theboard released the list Wednesday night at a publicmeeting to discuss its budget options and also posted the list on its website.

The boardhad saidthat as many as 10 closures are necessary, although the list of "schools for potential consideration of closure" names11 schools.

Word of the potential closures comes amidamonths-long budget battle between the board and B.C. Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid.

"Tonight will be a difficult night for everyone at the VSB as we consider millions of dollars of budget cuts not fully funded by the government," board chair PattiBacchus said earlier Wednesday.

But MacDiarmid said laterthat the board is still not doing enough to save money, despite the detailed advice provided in a special audit of its finances.

"I need to believe that the resources are being used in a reasonable way," the minister told a Vancouver news conference. "I don't have confidence in this board at this time."

Parents feel squeeze

Some parents of Vancouver elementary students feel caught in the middle.

"It's a worry," said Steve Fandrakis, father of three boys who will be attending a Vancouver school in September 2011. "Do we have to consider competing for other schools or moving?"

Garibaldi Annex in East Vancouver was on the board's chopping block in 2008, but parents rallied and persuaded trustees to keep it open.In it's notice on Wednesday night, the VSB said it would be reviewing and assessing that school's community plan.