Teachers have concerns with the addition of a specialty academy at Prince Rupert Middle School (PRMS) this fall.
In February, the Prince Rupert District Teachers' Union (PRDTU) sent a letter to the school district board of education highlighting concerns with the Prince Rupert Middle School District 52 Hockey Academy, a new program for Grades 6-8 students.
Developed by the Pacific Rim Hockey Academy and PRMS, the B.C. Ministry of Education-credited course covers educational requirements while offering additional coaching and ice time for hockey players to intensify their skills.
Kathy Murphy, PRDTU president, said teachers are concerned with having a private paid service within the public system and the impact it could have on all students.
"Parents are expected to pay over $1,200 for their child to be enrolled in the academy. Public schools are suppose to level the playing field between economic groups but we fear the academy will create a greater rift between 'have' and 'have not' students," reads the letter.
"Given that many of our students deal with poverty issues, it seems elitist to institute an academy for a sport known to be one of the most expensive offered in our community."
The PRDTU questioned what steps the board will take to ensure the academy doesn't turn PRMS into a two-tiered school and how it will ensure all students have the same options regardless of economic status.
Superintendent Sandra Jones spoke in favour of the academy during the March 10 school board meeting, stating it has already generated a lot of interest.
"To be part of the hockey academy, you would need to play hockey," she said, adding the Minor Hockey Association has a hardship fund that's used.
"There are 65 kids in hockey that play in this particular age group. Of the 65, 41 have signed up," said Jones, noting many of the remaining players attend Annunciation.
However, another issue for the PRDTU was that middle school instructors weren't part of the academy's development and weren't given any information on its structure until after an information meeting for parents was scheduled and newsletters were sent home.
PRMS principal Ken Minette said students won't lose any core instructional time, partaking in three on-ice and two off-ice sessions a week in place of their morning advisory class.
"What we're replacing here is the (Health and Career Education) the (Daily Physical Education) that is taught in advisory class ... It's relevant and parallels the kind of content we're teaching at the middle school," he said, adding students will also participate in community-based work.
"I think 'academy' is a little misleading in some ways. It's a hockey course," said Minette.
After debating the topic, trustees directed the superintendent to respond to questions raised by the teachers' union.
"I'm glad trustees discussed this but wish it had happened sooner," said Murphy.
The Prince Rupert Middle School District 52 Hockey Academy will run during the first semester of the 2015/16 school year.