School District 43 is asking the public to get involved in planning next year’s $322.3 million school budget — but it will involve doing some homework.
For the first time ever, SD43 will hold a public meeting in advance of drafting the budget, a huge undertaking that involves planning for the needs of roughly 70 schools and facilities for more than 32,000 students.
For those with a head for numbers — and an interest in how budgets are planned — SD43 has provided a 22-page guide on its website, which includes staffing levels, a mission statement and other details. It’s also required reading for those interested in presenting at the meeting, according to the school district.
Set for Tuesday, Feb. 11, the meeting will gather ideas and comments from parent groups, administrators, teachers and specialist groups, such as counsellors and teachers librarians, and others with an interest in the budget.
It will be held at Winslow Centre Gymnasium, 1100 Winslow Avenue, Coquitlam at 6:30 p.m.
Following the meeting, SD43 officials will put together a preliminary budget, which will be presented Tuesday, April 7.
To be a presenter, refer to the 2020-2021 Guidelines for Stakeholder Input and submit the information through this online process before 9 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 1. If you have any questions or need assistance, contact the office of the secretary-treasurer at 604-939-9201 or email jtoderas@sd43.bc.ca.
