Tuesday, April 10, 2012

April 10th SD 27 Budget and Special Board Meetings

With just 11 people from the public in attendance & with Zone 5 Trustee Sheila Boehm and Zone 7 Trustee Joyce Cooper absent - the remaining 5 School District #27 Trustees and their staff heard from 2 individuals about the School District's 2012-13 Budget.  The news was mixed as Bonnie Roller (Secretary-Treasurer) reported on the different aspects of the budget for 2012-13 and the challenges it imposes on the School District going forward including a deficit of $800,000 (as of now) for 12-13 with that increasing to $1.6 million in 2013-14

Questions asked by the public included:

* Use of funds from sale of former Anne Stevenson property (restricted capital that requires approval from Victoria)

* Sell former Poplar Glade property to fund deficit (it was explained that selling surplus SD #27 property can not be used to fund operations but goes into restricted capital account for use at future date)

* Return to local taxation for funding schools (under discussion but no decisions made)

After the quick budget input session - the Board moved to a Special Open Board meeting where they passed a motion to "approve-in-principle" the projected teaching FTE's for 2012-13.  It was noted by Ms. Roller that this could change as numbers are firmed up for June when the Board of Education (SD #27) must have its' 2012-13 Budget passed

After the meeting - I asked Ms. Roller about approaching the City of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District about a "Shared Services" initiative like group buying of office supplies, etc.  She informed me that discussions are underway about this very topic but there are logistical challenges to fully implement this but Victoria has encouraged School Boards around the province to look at this initiative and if possible - to implement it

The next Board of Education (SD #27) meeting is on April 24th at 6:30pm - 100 Mile Jr (unconfirmed at this point)

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