‘Not a solution’: Surrey parents push back on staggered school start times

B.C.'s largest school district expects to add 850 new students next year, leaving district officials considering their options.

The Surrey School District is facing a classroom crunch, which comes as no surprise given it’s the largest school district in the province and expected to add 850 students next year.

But district officials are now considering year-round schooling in the future. And for next September, some schools are set to face scheduling changes that have parents pushing back.

“It’s a Band-Aid. It’s not a solution,” said Liang, a parent at Fraser Heights Secondary.

The severely overcrowded school is moving to staggered start times.

“It’s very concerning for our parent community,” she said.

Liang said the change will create conflicts that will limit the ability of some kids to participate in clubs and other extra-curricular activities.

“It’s also very confusing to the parents and the students. Which day should I go to school? Which block do I have (at) school?” she said.

But Surrey School Board vice-chair Terry Allen said with 85,000 students and hundreds more enrolling every year – the district is running out of space.

“We’re not getting any new schools and we’re not getting any new classroom space, so if we wish to continue offering schooling at those schools, something has to take place,” he said.

“It is my hope that parents will go to administration or the vice-principal and talk these issues through,” said Allen.

‘Every day is different’

By September, there will be eight schools using the staggered schedule and some parents are already giving it a failing grade.

“I think it just adds that little bit more stress. You roll with it. You get used to it, but that doesn’t make the impact any less,” said Cindy Dalglish, whose daughter attends Salish Secondary.

“Day one she starts at 8 a.m. Day two she starts at 9:22 a.m. Wednesdays they alternate between 8 a.m. and 9:11 a.m. Flex days they shorten their classes by 11 minutes. So, every day is different,” Dalglish explained, adding that the changes are tough on working parents and staff.

“The staff have been fantastic, but I feel for them because they’re taking on those downward pressures from the district,’ she said.

Liang said Fraser Heights parents weren’t consulted and weren’t allowed to voice their concerns at a school board meeting.

“The reality is when it comes to the extended day, that decision’s been made,” said Allen.

He said the staggered schedule only creates 15 per cent more space for students, just one extra block, but it had to be done.

“We’re also in discussions around year-round schooling. That’s how serious we’re taking the shortage of classroom space in this district,” he explained.

Meanwhile, it appears there’s little hope of the district dropping the schedule change anytime soon.

“It’s not acceptable. It’s a bit ridiculous,” said Liang.