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New WestminsterNew Westminster schools will be laying off 17 special education assistants despite increased enrolments of 200 students last year. These layoffs come at a time when the same board has deemed it necessary to hire 3 administrators.

“I think the school board is trying to play games with budgets and needs again,” said Marcel Marsolais, President of CUPE Local 409, New Westminster. “I have to ask why the board is deciding to lay off people who support the services for the most vulnerable of our students while continuing to hire administrators at very high prices.” he said.

Marsolais will be leading a large contingent of his members to the New Westminster School Board meeting at New Westminster Secondary School this evening at 7:30 pm at 821 - 8th street in the city.

“We want answers from this school board,” says Marsolais. “We want to know what is behind their decision to make these cuts.”

Marsolais and his members are also asking how the board intends to explain the reduction of support to other students when teachers and other workers no longer have the extra time available to spend with them.

Information: Marcel Marsolais: President CUPE Local 409, (604) 833-1905

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