Facilities and Child Care Update: January 2025

There are a number of important facilities issues across the district that we are currently discussing:

  • The Vancouver School Board (VSB) has issued a fundraising request for much-needed facilities projects at several schools, including Roberts Annex, Hudson, and Hamber. These projects highlight the ongoing challenges of maintaining and upgrading school infrastructure across the district.

  • At the same time, rezoning applications continue to add density in areas already served by overcrowded schools, underscoring a troubling disconnect between the City of Vancouver and the VSB when it comes to long-term planning for school capacity and growth.

  • Parents are also raising concerns about Kindergarten lotteries, which limit access to neighborhood schools, forcing some families to travel outside their communities for schooling.

  • Adding to the strain, we’re seeing subdivisions of school sites, with portions sold or leased long-term to developers. These decisions threaten to further reduce already limited play and learning spaces for students.

  • Meanwhile, the Queen Elizabeth Annex (QEA) school closure and appeal case continues to raise questions about the process and transparency in school closures and their impact on local communities.

Call to Action—We Need Your Help! Join us on January 13th @ 7:00 pm (online meeting link here: https://meet.google.com/ocp-gtwy-zgo) to help plan how we move forward on these critical issues. Your voice can make a difference!

Also, help Save Fleming Elementary’s Basketball Courts! Fleming Elementary’s basketball courts are at risk of being handed over to a developer. This vital play area serves countless students and families in East Vancouver. DPAC urges you to sign and share the letter to protect this essential space for children. Visit our website to sign and spread the word to parents at your school: www.vancouverdpac.org/fleming-play-area

Let’s stand together to protect our schools and learning spaces for future generations!

Join Vancouver DPAC today and empower your voice in shaping our district's education!

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