School District 43 (SD43) has passed its 2023-24 school budget, calling it "responsive" to classroom needs.
Board of education trustees gave three readings to the financial spending plan totalling more than $476 million at its reguar public meeting on Tuesday (April 25).
In a statement today (April 27), SD43 called the budget "responsive" because it addressed concerns raised during consultations with teachers, administrators, support workers and parents.
Among the features of the budget next year include:
- an increase in education assistant staffing at elementary schools and the conversion to full-time of an education assistant position at middle schools, to facilitate participation in extracurricular activities for students that may need support
- the introduction of department head positions at each elementary school, combined with increasing the number of teachers, relieves school principals of regular teaching duties to focus on educational leadership, and provides greater flexibility in staffing
- the elimination of teacher layoffs for the upcoming school year, a process that has previously been a source of disruption and stress for teachers and the community
- additional funding for music programs and events, additional support staffing to ensure ventilation systems are maintained at peak efficiency, and an increase in financial support for the District Parent Advisory Council
In a statement, SD43 board chair Michael Thomas, a Port Coquitlam trustee, said the board of education will continue to provide multi-year budgeting and financial planning to ensure a stable, predictable "world class" education system.
