Board Considers Draw from Surplus to Support Budget Additions

At the May 11 public board meeting Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Patrick presented the board with recommendations from senior management, with consideration from stakeholders, regarding possible reductions and additions to the 2021-2022 budget.

At the start of this year's budget development process, the board had indicated a willingness to conservatively draw up to $680,000 from unrestricted surplus.

Common themes heard throughout the consultations were for mental health support and to keep reductions away from the classroom and direct student impact.

The recommended additions include: $154,000 for 1.4 FTE counselling support across the two middle schools and $5,000 for an educational assistant peer mentorship pilot. The district was able to find budget reductions through an adjustment to teacher staffing because of lower enrolment, reduced utilities costs, a benefit holiday and a one-year reduction to monies set aside to support strategic priorities at the district level.

The full list of recommendations is posted on the district website at: www.sd72.bc.ca/departments/businessservices/budgetdevelopment. Feedback can be sent to Natalie Crawshaw in the secretary-treasurer's office by noon on Wednesday, May 19.

The board will review and possibly approve the budget at the May 25 public board meeting.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Patrick, Manager of Communications
Phone: (250) 830.2333
Email: jennifer.patrick@sd72.bc.ca