When More Is Less
NEWS RELEASE
Centre for Civic Governance
Tuesday February 3, 2009
Research Institute Calls On Provincial Government To Include Education Funding In Economic Stimulus Budget
The Centre for Civic Governance at Columbia Institute today called on the BC
government to correct flawed funding for public education in the upcoming budget.
A study of K-12 education funding shows that the government has
created an estimated $132 million shortfall by underfunding boards of education over the past seven years, following major changes to funding mechanisms.
“It’s critical for the provincial government to budget money for key programs. To
ensure BC comes through the current economic recession in a strong position,
education funding for boards of education must be high on the list of budgetary
priorities,” said executive director Charley Beresford. “Funding the accumulated
budgetary shortfall and revamping the funding formula has to be part of the economic stimulus budget. Education must be considered a key part of the economic recovery strategy.”
“While the provincial government points to more funding than ever in public education, that funding is not keeping pace with costs,” said Beresford. “In this case ‘more’
funding has meant cuts.”
The Centre for Civic Governance at Columbia Institute reviewed the 2008-2009
preliminary annual budgets developed by boards of education across the province. The study found that most boards had difficulty balancing their budgets. Of the 45 districts reviewed, 32 forecast costs that exceeded funding. Of these 32 boards, over half did not have sufficient prior year surpluses to make up the difference and services were cut.
This finding reflects an overall structural funding problem for education funding in
British Columbia. While provincial block funding has increased since 2001, a $132
million shortfall remains, even after savings from declining enrolment have been
factored in.
For more information:
Charley Beresford
778-772-8188
www.civicgovernance.ca
Centre for Civic Governance
Tuesday February 3, 2009
Research Institute Calls On Provincial Government To Include Education Funding In Economic Stimulus Budget
The Centre for Civic Governance at Columbia Institute today called on the BC
government to correct flawed funding for public education in the upcoming budget.
A study of K-12 education funding shows that the government has
created an estimated $132 million shortfall by underfunding boards of education over the past seven years, following major changes to funding mechanisms.
“It’s critical for the provincial government to budget money for key programs. To
ensure BC comes through the current economic recession in a strong position,
education funding for boards of education must be high on the list of budgetary
priorities,” said executive director Charley Beresford. “Funding the accumulated
budgetary shortfall and revamping the funding formula has to be part of the economic stimulus budget. Education must be considered a key part of the economic recovery strategy.”
“While the provincial government points to more funding than ever in public education, that funding is not keeping pace with costs,” said Beresford. “In this case ‘more’
funding has meant cuts.”
The Centre for Civic Governance at Columbia Institute reviewed the 2008-2009
preliminary annual budgets developed by boards of education across the province. The study found that most boards had difficulty balancing their budgets. Of the 45 districts reviewed, 32 forecast costs that exceeded funding. Of these 32 boards, over half did not have sufficient prior year surpluses to make up the difference and services were cut.
This finding reflects an overall structural funding problem for education funding in
British Columbia. While provincial block funding has increased since 2001, a $132
million shortfall remains, even after savings from declining enrolment have been
factored in.
For more information:
Charley Beresford
778-772-8188
www.civicgovernance.ca