Sunday, September 24, 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.