School says no to gambling cash
Judith Lavoie, Times Colonist
Published: Saturday, September 23, 2006
Gambling money underpins parent advisory councils across B.C., but the source of the much-needed cash poses an ethical dilemma for some parents.
Unlike most PACs that happily pocket provincial grants funded by gambling, South Park Elementary does not.
"Gaming can be problematic for some people, and is the message that we want to be sending to our kids that we are making money off gambling?" said Rosemary Mann, a parent at the school and former PAC chairwoman.
B.C. Lottery Corp. money has funded PACs since 1998. Until 2003, PACs needed to complete complicated forms to qualify for funding of $40 a student. Now the government distributes funds to all PACs based on $20 per student.
This year more than 1,500 PACs will receive almost $12 million from the proceeds of casinos, lottery tickets and online gambling.
South Park has never accepted the funds although it revisits the issue every few years.
Government suggestions for the funds include school drama and chess clubs, writing, debating and music competitions, student societies, student travel in B.C., yearbooks, playground and sports equipment and scholarships.
Education Minister Shirley Bond said she understands some parents are concerned about gaming funds. "But, the benefits from those dollars are very significant," she said.
South Park's decision was not an easy one as the school also refuses to raise money by having students sell items door-to-door or outside stores. Instead, the school community relies on an annual auction, spring fair and pizza days.
The government should fully fund education, making fundraising unnecessary, Mann said. "It is unacceptable that parents [at South Park] have to raise about $18,000 a year just to provide adequate library books and art materials and field trips," she said.
South Park has 168 students, meaning that, last year, when the province, on a one-time basis, doubled the PAC grant to $40 per student, the gaming commission would have handed $6,720 to South Park. This year, the school would be in line for $3,360.
South Park PAC chairwoman Sarah Hilliard supports the decision to turn down gambling money, but said it makes life tough for parent fundraisers.
South Park hopes to get new playground equipment with the money it raises. Money also goes to classroom teachers for field trips and other extras -- but also basics such as electric pencil sharpeners, Hilliard said.
John Bird, chairman of the Victoria Coalition of PACs, believes that rising gaming profits should mean more money for PACs.
The government scooped up $914.4 million from B.C. Lottery Corp. last year -- up from about $120 million when PACs first started getting gaming money. However, Bond said no consideration is being given to increasing gaming money for PACs. |
World Casino Directory 
Gambling Forums 
