Letters sent to The Premier, Minister of Education, MLA's and Quesnel School District Trustees...

August 1, 2002
The Honourable Christy Clark, MLA
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
P.O. Box 9045
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2

Dear Minister Clark:
RE: WELLS SCHOOL CLOSURE

I am writing to express my support and solidarity with Claire Kujundzic and the citizens of Wells, BC in their fight to reverse the decision to close the Wells-Barkerville school.

Ms. Kujundzic began a hunger strike July 16th, after School District 28 Trustees awarded their administration a $120,000 salary increase. We commend her brave decision to stand up for public services in rural British Columbia, which has led a
number of others to follow her example.

Wells is a shining example of a thriving BC community. If this decision is not reversed, families and professionals will be forced to relocate to avoid sending their children over a treacherous 80-kilometre stretch of mountain highway to attend classes in Quesnel.

The B.C. Federation of Labour is calling on your Ministry to discuss this issue in Caucus. We are appalled that the Trustees of School District 28 have used the Small Community Supplement to balance the budget, despite the fact that the money was
targeted for rural schools. This decision must be overturned.

Sincerely,
JIM SINCLAIR
President
B.C. Federation of Labour

cc: Gordon Campbell, Premier of the Province of British Columbia
Dr. John Wilson, MLA Cariboo North
Claire Kujundzic, Wells School Committee
opeiu 15