The NDP MHA for Labrador West has written Minister John Haggie regarding issues facing education in his district.

Jordan Brown says residents feel there is an “erosion of educational autonomy,” in Labrador.

He says there has been “years of neglect” from government, and he is worried that the absorption of the NLESD into the Department of Education will leave Lab West forgotten on the list of priorities.

In his letter, Brown indicates that all schools are facing “massive staffing shortfalls,” and are in need of workers for numerous positions.

As well, he says they keep hearing of teachers who could fill some of those positions, but can’t accept the job because they cannot find affordable housing.

Brown says the former education minister assured him that government would complete work on existing teachers’ apartments and would add capacity at the former Labrador School Board building, however that work was never carried out.

He says one teacher told him that things would not have gotten so bad if the Labrador School Board was still around.