The start of summer school has been pushed back to July 7 in Vancouver to give striking teachers and the government more time to negotiate a deal.
The Vancouver School Board announced it was delaying the program Thursday as both sides of the teachers’ dispute await a Labour Relations Board decision on making remedial summer school classes an essential service.
“We know how important summer school is for many of our parents and students,” Superintendent Steve Cardwell said in a statement. “We are doing everything possible to keep summer school viable.”
Remedial classes are held at five high schools in the city, including John Oliver, Prince of Wales, Point Grey, David Thompson and Vancouver Technical.
About 17,000 people per year register for Vancouver’s summer school program, which also features secondary completion courses, secondary preview courses and programs for elementary students.
With the teachers’ contract dispute far from resolved, the district said it will be re-evaluating its summer school plans and providing additional information by July 3.
