More on School District funding problems in BC

BC School boards face new funding shortfalls. People’s Voice – 2009 April 16 (Vancouver)

… the VSB is facing a $7.12 million shortfall for the 2009-10 school year. Trustees from the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) point to under funding, especially the provincial Liberal government's failure to cover rising costs. Using Ministry of Education figures, the BC Teachers Federation estimates that the shortfall looming for school boards across BC will total $74 million in 2009-10.

This pattern goes back to the mid-1990s, when the Harcourt NDP was in office, and it keeps adding up. For the VSB, getting back to just 2001 funding levels would take well over $40 million.

Other boards are facing similar problems. Since 2002, the financial crunch has led to the closure of 177 schools in British Columbia. Despite the Campbell Liberal rhetoric, west coast schools are not receiving more funding than ever. In 2008-09, for example, the $122 million increase in total operating grants fell short of the $137 million increase in labour settlement costs, let alone other inflationary pressures.
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School district faces $2M shortfall; Trustees, staff face difficult task of trying to deliver a balanced budget for 2009-10,
The Daily News (Nanaimo) Thu 16 Apr 2009 (Robert Barron)

The Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district is now facing almost $2 million in budget shortfall for 2009-10, double what was predicted only two weeks ago.

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Cash shortfalls hurt schools, Saanich News, Tue 14 Apr 2009 (Opinion [letter])

… My own district is facing the largest shortfall of its history at $3.6 million. The province every year has claimed an increase to educational funding. However, this funding has never matched up to inflation and rising costs. After years of cuts to programs many districts are not able to cut any more. Instead they are now considering shutting down the whole district for periods of time.

Two-week spring breaks and a four-day school week are now normal conversation. I believe it is an absolute shame that in British Columbia, 'The Best Place on Earth,' that whole school districts are shutting down their educational programs for an extra week or even one day a week in order to get through the year. We have watched schools close for years, now it is districts shutting down for periods of time. It is an absolute shame.

Donnie Peterson
Victoria

from the Victoria Times Colonist, Thu 16 Apr 2009. (Bert Slater)

…. School District 61's operating funds in Victoria have been reduced by $28 million since 1991. Minister Shirley Bond would have us believe that is because of declining enrolment. At about $5,000 per student, that would be 5,600 fewer students in the system today than in 1991.
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