Extra! Extra! New budget documents have been posted to the School District 43 website in advance of plans to spend more than $302 million for the 2018/’19 school year.
But will you read them or go to next Tuesday’s meeting to find out how your child’s classes are funded?
That’s the question as the district ramps up efforts to get more people involved in budget discussions.
“You want to engage people that are not in the school system,” said board chair Kerri Palmer Isaak.
But short of hiring fire eaters, jugglers and a catering service to get people to show up to listen to reports about debt, spending and funding issues, what can a school district do to get people to pay attention to how schools are funded in B.C.?
Palmer Isaak admits it’s a challenge, especially when there is no looming financial crisis.
In fact, she said, the district has more money to spend in classrooms because it has paid off some debt while the 2016 Supreme Court of Canada decision on class size and composition created smaller classes and jobs for more teachers and support workers.
But the budget isn’t a fait accompli and there are decisions to be made, something parents might be interested to see in action, said Palmer Isaak, who's also the trustee representing Anmore and Belcarra. For example, the district spends about 86% of its budget on instruction, 4% on administration and about 10% on maintenance.
But are those the right proportions, and does the district spend enough on school maintenance, for example, or special needs students?
“I would actually really value parents coming out and viewing the process because it’s incredibly positive. [District staff] are trying to channel money back into education instead of just troubleshoot,” she said.
Other groups that might be interested are First Nations, diversity advocates, business, health and non-profits, according to SD43’s budget guide.
The meetings are public and the budget process guide and other information is available at www.sd43.bc.ca
THE BUDGET MEETINGS
• Tuesday, April 10, 7 p.m., Winslow Centre gymnasium, 1100 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam: preliminary budget reviewed
• Tuesday, April 17, 6:30 p.m., same location: stakeholder feedback (application to provide feedback required by 9 a.m. April 12 at the link provided on the budget process page under contribute).
