September 27, 2024

Nanaimo, BC- CUPE 606 and Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools (NLPS) are pleased to update that an agreement has been reached on the additional out of classroom hour for education assistants (EAs) for the 2024-2025 school year.

The agreement will take effect October 1, 2024.

NLPS and CUPE have agreed to use the funding under Letter of Understanding (LOU) 18, to add one additional hour per week outside of the classroom for all continuing regular EAs who are currently receiving 25 hours or less per week for the school year, or until the fund is depleted. CUPE and district staff will continue to meet throughout the year and will meet prior to staffing day in June to determine how the fund will be used for the 2025-26 school year.

At this time, the district is also in the position to provide separate funding for temporary and replacement 25-hour EAs to also receive the additional hour each week outside of the classroom.

Additionally, Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools has committed to $300,000 in additional funds to add more student support into classrooms throughout the district and funds to allow more collaboration time between teaching and support staff outside of classroom time.

“This is one of the biggest investments in EAs in our district in recent years,” said Jeff Virtanen, president of CUPE 606. “This proves that we can work together to demonstrate that we really value EAs in our schools, the incredibly hard work they do, and the critical role they have in supporting some of the most vulnerable students in our care.”

“I want to express my gratitude to CUPE 606 and district staff for working together to achieve the goal I know we all were working toward- acknowledging the contributions of EAs in our schools and investing in student and employee wellness, demonstrating that we are committed to the goals laid out in our Strategic Plan,” said Greg Keller, board chair for Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools.

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools currently employs 380 Education Assistants in 36 schools across the district.

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For more information contact:

Jeff Virtanen

President

CUPE 606

Phone: (250)818-7269

Email: jvirtanen@sd68.bc.ca

Gillian Robinson

Executive Director, Communications, Privacy and Community Engagement

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools

Phone: (250) 754-5521

Email: gillian.robinson@sd68.bc.ca