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School district faces $1.8 million shortfall

As part of the budget process, the board is asking the public to comment or make suggestions through their website.
23402salmonarmBacktoschoolSept_1
In preparation for the 2013-2014 school year

School District #83 trustees will be sharpening their pencils in preparation for the upcoming budget deliberations — as they will need to find ways to cover the projected $1.8 million shortfall.

Secretary-Treasurer Stirling Olsen reiterated the bad news at Tuesday's budget meeting, noting the provincial budget outlined no new funds for education. This is coupled with the fact that this school district continues to face significant declining enrolment, which is expected to drop by another 240 students in the 2013-2014 school year.

The school district is funded on a formula based, primarily, on the number of students attending.

This means trustees will need to make reductions, potentially involving student services, as the lions' share of the school district's operating budget is allocated to salaries and benefits.

The potential sale of eight properties considered surplus to the school district needs is not a solution to the budget issue, as the revenue from such a sale can not be used to fund operating expenses.

Should the properties be approved for sale by the ministry, and eventually sold, the revenue generated would be earmarked for capital expenditures only.

As part of the budget process, the board is asking the public to comment or make suggestions through their website at www.sd83.bc.ca, at the "comments to trustees" link.

Chris Coers, board vice chair, noted the school district budget is complex and it may not be easy for parents or the public to come up with ideas for saving money, however the board is looking for input on what is important about the local school system.

"Then we know what people want us to protect," she said.

The District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) is also encouraging parents to submit their ideas and opinions and has sent a letter to parents.

"What you you like protected in our children's education? What aspects are really working in the funding, what are lacking? These are the questions they are asking" says Jennifer Cook, president of the DPAC.

Cook's letter points to a few areas of potential reductions including a restructuring of the district's education outreach and adult learning, which is funded at a deficit of more than $250,000.

"If these programs are restructure so they are working within the money that is available, this could be a significant cost savings," notes the letter.

Declining enrolment also means the district will need approximately 10 fewer teachers, which would also reduce the budget.

"…However even with these reductions the board needs to look at other cost saving measures, not only for 2013-2014, but into the next couple of years as well," Cook writes.

Public feedback on the budget will be accepted until April 12.