CUPE Local 561 president Dave Ginter is waiting for news about budget cuts in the wake of an announcement this week that School District 43 has to trim $12 million from next year's budget to avoid a deficit.
The district has already made $5 million in cuts to this year's spending to reduce the current year's deficit, now projected to be $8 million by the end of June.
Ginter said CUPE members, including support workers, clerical staff and maintenance workers, are confused about how the deficit grew since it was revealed in January and some are worried about their jobs. "It affects them now," said Ginter, who is attending this week's CUPE convention. "Then comes the battle. What do you cut?"
Ginter also noted that other districts are facing financial difficulties, too, while others have contingency funds to help them.
New Westminster district has a total shortfall of $5.5 million this year. In Maple Ridge, school officials plan to cut staff to eliminate a $5.6 million shortfall next year.
Ginter said some districts may be avoiding deficits because they can use surpluses from previous years, but that money may run out.
"Other districts that have rainy day funds, that is covering some of these shortfalls," he said.
According to the district, some of its financial troubles arose because the province isn't funding increases to benefit premiums, CPP and EI and other added costs, and districts still have to using operating funds to pay carbon offsets.
A public meeting to discuss the budget is planned for this Tuesday, April 16, in the Gallery Room at Winslow Centre.
The district has also posted its budget update online at www.sd43.bc.ca.
