School children and families in Surrey will need to gear up for even more program cuts and changes in the school district.
In an announcement by the school board Friday morning, trustees claim they are having trouble balancing the budget for the 2025-26 school year. As a result, the district is facing a $16-million shortfall.
“The board has been forced to make difficult, and sometimes heartbreaking, decisions around busing for diverse learners, the Guildford and City Central Learning Centres, while meeting its goal of delivering a high-quality education for every single student in Surrey,” vice-chair Terry Allen said in a news release.
“We are also managing growing costs around the needs of our diverse learners. For example, Surrey Schools spends $54 million more per year on special education funding than the provincial government provides – and it’s just not sustainable.”
Ministry of Education funding to the district has not kept up with the rate of student growth and inflation, the board claims.
While elementary band has already been announced as being on the chopping block, more cuts are on the way.
After last year saw the months-long process of the future of StrongStart being unknown, that program is again at-risk, the board states.
StrongStart is a program available at several schools in Surrey and across the province for babies and children age 0 to 4 to receive an introduction into the school system. Parents or guardians and the children are able to learn and play together with others in the community, with the program largely serving newcomer or lower-income families.
In Surrey, cuts to programs and services often and will continue to impact those that are not within the B.C. curriculum or which are not provided designated funding, the release states.
“Most people don’t know that beyond per student funding, Surrey Schools does not receive any funds specifically for busing, band, Strong Start, learning centres and related infrastructure, building leases and portable moves,” Allen said.
“However, the Board will continue to do their best with the funds available – and at the end of the day – we’ll do everything in our power to protect students and families in Surrey.”
Additionally, non-enrolling non-teaching staff will be reallocated to classroom positions for support, as Surrey is not heading in the way of other districts which are employing non-certified teachers. This move is also intended to combat Surrey's teacher-shortage issue and keep certified teachers in classrooms.
There may also be changes to district office positions, the release notes.
Trustees must approve a balanced budget by June 30 and claim that because approximately 93 per cent of its operating budget is allocated for staff salaries and benefits, reducing costs in the remaining areas is going to be difficult.
A budget consultation to gain public input is ongoing, with the deadline now extended to March 6 for students, staff, parents and guardians – as well as the community at large – to make their voices heard.
Peace Arch News has requested interviews with board vice-chair Terry Allen and Education Minister Lisa Beare.
