The B.C. government is asking all school districts - including cash-strapped School District 43 - to return money saved in wages, travel, supplies and other expenditures during the 14-day strike.
It's not known yet what the impact will be, as SD43 administrators are still analyzing the numbers, according to board chair Melissa Hyndes. She said the board will report out this week "when we have a better handle on what it means."
What is known is that SD43 lost about $130,000 when 10 International Education students withdrew from local schools, citing the labour dispute as their reason for leaving. As well, SD43 likely lost some funds in rental fees and leases, but it will have saved money, too.
In a letter dated Sept. 12, the Ministry of Education asked for an accounting of all money saved and lost, but the letter also noted it would work with districts facing financial difficulty on a case-by-case basis to recognize any "reasonable incremental costs."
SD43 is facing a year of straightened circumstances after axing $13.4 million from its budge in the spring. Approximately 600 teachers were laid off, as well as numerous support staff. Some will be back in school this fall but the exact number won't be known until the district makes a final student head count and gets all its positions in place.
BOARD MEETINGS COMING UP
The public won't likely hear how the district is doing in class size and composition - a major issue during the teachers' dispute - until Nov. 4, during a special public board meeting when enrollment numbers will be discussed. The meeting was rescheduled from Oct. 7, due to a change in ministry reporting dates.
But the public can get a glimpse of the board at work tomorrow night and hear reports on how the district ended the 2013/14 school year, when the audited financial statements are discussed.
The board meeting will be held tomorrow, Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the district board offices at 550 Poirier St.,Coquitlam.
