Centre for Civic Governance

School districts were examining the B.C. government's funding promises after the education ministry released information this week showing that more than half of them would receive the same operating grant this year as last year, despite having to pay for salary increases and expanded kindergarten.

Overall, the 60 school districts will receive an additional $112 million for teacher wages and full-day kindergarten as promised in the 2010 budget, boosting total operating grants for public schools to $4.66 billion next year, the ministry said in a release. But in 33 districts, the extra cash will be offset by a drop in per-pupil grants due to declining enrolment.

No district will receive less money than last year, even if student numbers are down. But neither will there be extra dollars to cover rising costs, which also include Medical Services Plan premiums and teacher pension contributions.

Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid was not available for an interview but indicated in a statement that declining enrolment continues to be a problem, even though kindergarten will expand in September. Full-day kindergarten will boost student numbers provincewide but "a majority of our 60 school districts are still expected to see enrolment drop. Districts are forecasting that there will be nearly 6,000 fewer students in Grades 1 through 12," she stated.

Connie Denesiuk, president of the B.C. School Trustees' Association, said secretary-treasurers were on the phone with ministry representatives Tuesday, but still had unanswered questions. "Until we get [answers], it's going to be difficult to know exactly what situation individual boards of education are in."

The president of the B.C. Association of School Business Officials agreed, noting the ministry made major changes to its funding formula this year. David Green said he expects "additional cost pressures" provincewide will be about $25 million to $30 million -- less than what had been expected but still significant.

Vancouver, which expected a shortfall of $17 million on a budget of almost $500 million, will get an extra $500,000 next year. Board chairwoman Patti Bacchus said it was too early to comment, but noted a public meeting is planned for today to discuss the ramifications.

The big winner from Tuesday's announcement appeared to be Surrey, the largest district, which will get an extra $14 million due to an anticipated increase of about 1,200 students. But Surrey board chairwoman Laurae McNally said the district still faces a $12-million shortfall on a budget of more than half a billion dollars and will have to make tough decisions.

Additional costs next year include $3.6 million for an increase in teacher pension contributions, $2 million for more portable classrooms, $1 million for carbon-reduction initiatives and $500,000 for additional MSP costs, McNally said, adding: "We're not shovelling money off a truck, let me tell you that."

The B.C. Teachers' Federation described the funding announcement as a "shell game, smoke and mirrors and bad political spin." President Irene Lanzinger said the district-by-district breakdown shows the Liberals aren't funding all-day kindergarten and labour settlements, as they promised in their 2010 budget. "Their own numbers prove they're not funding the costs they're downloading on school boards."

 

By Janet Steffenhagen, Vancouver Sun March 18, 2010