BC School Trustees Association warns of dire financial crunch

The new head of the BC School Trustees Association is warning parents and students across the province’s districts about upcoming financial hardships.

In its latest meeting held on Tuesday night, Tracy Loffler shared that several school districts are already facing tough decisions.

“Let’s talk about Surrey, the fastest growing school district in the province, and even with a record funding expected to be over $1 billion, the district is facing a $16 million deficit,” she explained.

“What does this mean for students? It means the reduction of programs, and that teachers and support staff are stretched to their limits,” Loffler added.

Anne Whitmore, with the Surrey District Parent Advisory Council, told 1130 NewsRadio’s sister station OMNI News last week that because of the budget shortfall, 40-to-50 education assistants for students with extra needs will be lost through a hiring freeze and attrition.

Loffler is asking for patience from parents and students, saying trustees are doing the best they can under financial pressure while providing top-tier public education.

“In other parts of the province, our school boards are doing the best they can to pass balanced budgets under difficult conditions, while community groups see the challenges and are calling for better,” Loffler said Tuesday.

The budget shortfalls will see the scaling back of other programs, like languages and arts education.

In Burnaby, that school district is facing a $4.2 million shortfall, with at least one language arts program on the chopping block.

“Districts are facing significant budget pressures, and students are feeling the impacts. This is not just about dollars, it is about children’s right to quality public education,” Loffler said.