The Surrey school district has announced plans to hire 40 education assistants, partially reversing staffing reductions from the previous year when budget constraints led to significant cuts. The move comes amid growing demand for support services, but parents and union representatives argue the new hires are insufficient to address the shortfall.
Budget Challenges and Staffing Decisions
Last year, Surrey Schools faced a $16-million deficit, prompting cuts that included the loss of 50 education assistants through attrition, along with programs such as Grade 7 band and the White Rock Learning Centre. The district's 2026-27 budget, approved on Wednesday, carries a $3.8-million shortfall, primarily due to declining enrolment. Trustee Terry Allen, chair of the district's finance committee, stated that the shortfall will be covered by surplus funds from the current year.
Allen noted that while overall enrolment has dropped by 900 students, the number of students with special needs has increased by 300. “There’s a greater need,” he said, justifying the addition of 40 full-time inclusive education support workers.
Union and Parent Concerns
Tammy Murphy, president of CUPE 728, which represents education assistants, highlighted that the number of students with diverse needs rose by 375 last year while staffing levels fell. “We went up 375 students and went down 50 EAs,” she said. Even with the new hires, the district remains down 10 positions compared to last year, not accounting for future increases. Murphy described the situation as “school triage,” with overworked staff facing rising injury and burnout rates.
Anne Whitmore, president of the Surrey District Parent Advisory Council, welcomed the additional positions but called them insufficient. “It’s great they’re eyeing that number, but it still leaves us with a net deficit of EAs,” she said, adding that the district was already under-resourced before the cuts. Whitmore also noted that students with less visible needs, such as those requiring academic support for diagnosed disabilities, are being overlooked in favor of those with more immediate physical or behavioral challenges.
Impact on Students and Staff
Murphy explained that one education assistant typically supports three to five students, whereas ideal ratios would be one-to-one or one-to-two. The staffing shortage means students suffer, while remaining assistants are increasingly absent due to injuries and stress. She pointed out that Superintendent Mark Pearmain received a 26% pay increase last year, bringing his annual remuneration to over $447,000, a contrast to the cuts affecting frontline staff.
The district’s decision to hire 40 education assistants is a step toward addressing the growing needs, but critics argue it falls short of what is required to ensure adequate support for all students.
