People For Public Education

I'm pleased that the throne speech today set the intention to ensure that all First Nations people have the right to vote in school board elections.

@PublicEdMB I would argue that the primary purpose of PACs should be one of advocacy, along with communication with school admin and divisional leadership. Fundraising crept in out of necessity as funding fell further and further behind leaving gaping holes to be filled where possible.

Please read this op-ed written by Emily Livingston, a member of People for Public Education, where she talks about a better model than school fundraising. winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analys…

Please check out this timely talk on democracy and education presented by Melanie Janzen and Jordan Laidlaw.

That's right! 💯 "Teachers should not be forced to apply for money to support programs that should be fully funded in the first place."

I appreciate Melanie Janzen's thoughts about why the Teachers' Idea Fund was always a bad idea, why sustained financial commitments are essential and why progressive tax reform is needed. winnipeg-can.newsmemory.com/?publink=0dd74…

"Local school fundraising represents a challenge to equality when... some schools can raise virtually unlimited monies to offer untold experiences to their children, while others struggle to provide the bare necessities." winnipeg-can.newsmemory.com/?publink=194c7…

Glad to see the province has halted the plan to build schools using public-private partnerships and is making plans to build them using the traditional public model. winnipeg-can.newsmemory.com/?publink=2aa45…

When I started my career, I worked in a school where wealthy parents who owned businesses would cut massive cheques for fundraising. The inequities I have witnessed in my career are jaw dropping. Thanks for speaking out on this matter, Matt Henderson!

I think bringing this topic to light is important. Schools relying on community charity not only widens gaps but is not sustainable.

We surveyed parents and found many said that their school would struggle to provide learning resources and opportunities without fundraising. Check out our report below to learn more about how fundraising contributes to inequitable funding practices. static1.squarespace.com/static/630c063…

Winnipeg School Division is seeking to pause fundraisers to reduce inequities between schools. Kids shouldn't get more opportunities in the public school system based on their school's ability to raise money. winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2…

Students shouldn't have to lose out on their library because of overcrowded classroom spaces. More forward thinking investment in school infrastructure is needed. winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2…

It is fantastic to see a universal school nutrition program get underway.

School fundraising is an inequitable practice with many downsides. Please check out our op-ed in the Winnipeg Free Press to learn more. ee.winnipegfreepress.com/?publink=0a5ec…

@brent_a_johnson We appreciate your response on the survey! I agree that is deeply unfair. In a public education system, students at a school shouldn't receive fewer resources or opportunities because that community is less able to raise funds.

@PublicEdMB I was one of those 56 respondents, but one thing I think about all the time is all the fundraising our Parent Council is able to do and does to benfit the school and students, but just blocks away other school communities do not have that capacity or ability.

Earlier today we published an op-ed about school fundraising, which is an inequitable practice that puts different schools on uneven playing fields. We'd appreciate hearing about some of your experiences relating to school fundraising. ee.winnipegfreepress.com/?publink=0a5ec…

To learn more, check out our report Fundraising in Schools in Manitoba: Pushing Back Against Inequitable Practices. static1.squarespace.com/static/630c063…

Fundraising in schools is an inequitable practice we should all should be concerned about. Check out our op-ed in today's Winnipeg Free Press by Ee-Seul Yoon and Emily Livingston. ee.winnipegfreepress.com/?publink=0a5ec…