SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 83
2024-25 Preliminary Budget Focuses on Strategic Priorities

All school districts in British Columbia are required to pass a balanced budget for the upcoming school year to the Ministry of Education and Child Care by June 30th. Along with districts across the province, SD83 is experiencing 2024-25 budget shortfalls.

During the May 21, 2024, Regular Board meeting, the Board gave first reading to the proposed 2024-25 annual budget. Senior Leadership continues to work on the proposed budget, as directed by the Board, until it comes forward for the second, and final, reading at the June Regular Board meeting.  

On Thursday, May 30, 2024, during the Committee of the Whole meeting, Secretary-Treasurer Dale Culler shared that over the past few years, surplus appropriations have been used to balance budgets, which is an unsustainable practice in the long term. The point has been reached where surplus appropriations can no longer be used to balance the budget. Instead, a surplus budget is necessary to avoid running deficits, as the Ministry does not allow deficit budgets.

In developing the proposed budget, Senior Leadership have focused on aligning budget priorities with the District's strategic plan.

Intellectual Development Priority
Goal: Each student will develop their literacy skills, numeracy skills, and competencies to become their most capable self.

• A total of 34.73 full time equivalent (FTE) are allocated to school Principals and Vice-Principals.
• Approximately $44.662M will be spent on teachers at the school and district level from the operating fund.
• 32.4 additional FTE Teachers are employed to serve as supports for students across the district in addition to the 382.369 FTE teacher allocations at schools.
• Approximately 8.822M has been allocated to Certified Educational Assistants.
• Approximately $50K will be invested in anchor resources to support literacy and numeracy across the district.
• A total of 6.4 FTE is dedicated to Literacy Support Teachers with a 1.0 FTE Numeracy Helping Teacher
• 4.6 FTE Speech Language Pathologists support students across the district.

Human & Social Development Priority
Goal: Each student will feel welcome, safe, and connected to peers and adults in their school.

• A total of 2.0 FTE Inclusion Support Teachers serve to assist schools across the district with behaviour support.
• A total of 25.3 FTE bus drivers across 37 routes ensure the safe travel of students to and from school.
• A total of 3.3 FTE teachers supports English Language Learners across the district.
• A total of 39.20 FTE is allocated to Learning Resource Teachers across the district.
• Through "targeted funds," a total of 16.63 FTE Indigenous Education Workers support Indigenous students across the district.
• A total of $293K is dedicated to sta Early Learning Programs through "special purpose" funds and the operating grant.
• Over $176K is dedicated to funding Early Childhood Educators in Kindergarten.

Career Development Priority
Goal: Each student will develop the skills and competencies necessary to be successful in a career or community pathway of their choice.

• Secondary schools have 3.806 FTE Career Counselors combined with a 1.0 FTE District Career Coordinator.
• 2.9 FTE Success Teachers support Indigenous students through "targeted funding."
• A total of 6.0 FTE teacher supports to alternate programming across the district.

Developing a Culture of Well-being Priority
Goal: Each student will feel socially, emotionally, and mentally supported within their schools and the District.

• The district has 6.2 FTE itinerant counselors and 7.6 FTE school-based counselors supporting students.
• A 1.0 FTE district vice-principal supports student well-being, student mental health, social emotional learning, and student safety through a "special purpose" fund.
• Through a "special purpose" fund, a 1.0 FTE district vice-principal supports early learning, childcare initiatives, and supports the transition of families into the district.
• The TRC Ally Program will have $27K to provide training to sta across the district in support of Truth and Reconciliation.

Organizational Development Priority
Goal: We will develop and enhance procedures and practices that will assist in meeting the Strategic Priorities.

• The district employs 21.0 FTE trades personnel, which reduces the cost of maintaining facilities and vehicles.
• A total of 4.0 FTE Directors oversee and lead K-12 Instruction, Indigenous Education, and Inclusive Education.
• A 1.0 FTE Health and Safety Coordinator supports all employees at the school and district level.
• A total of $28K has been allocated to WorkSafe training for Joint Occupational Health and Safety members.
• The Student Support and Wellness department will invest $80K toward sta mentorship and development.
• Over $1M to cover services and supplies necessary for the operation of the Transportation Department.

Effective Governance and Leadership Priority
Goal: The Board of Education will work to represent the interests of all students by actively advocating for student learning an dwell-being through Strategic Planning Policy and responsible Stewardship.

• Five elected trustees are responsible for the governance of the school district.
• According to the School Act, the district employs 1.0 FTE Superintendent and a 1.0 FTE Secretary-Treasurer.

SD83 is anticipating a decline of 93.7 FTE in student enrollment for 2024-25, which will result in a reduction of approximately $807,000 in the annual operating grant.

Special education funding for students with Level 1, 2, and 3 designations is expected to generate approximately $13.577 million. However, SD83 contributes an additional $1.962 million additional funding from the operating grant plus an additional $1.088 million from the Classroom Enhancement Fund special purpose fund.

The District receives special purpose funds from the Ministry totaling approximately $11.99 million. These funds are allocated to support resources in the areas such as mental health and wellness, early learning programs, French immersion (refer to the full listing on the right).

For the 2024-25 school year, SD83 expects to receive approximately $87.586 million in operating grant funding. Operating funds are intended to provide for the day-to-day operations of the school district, including instructional programs, school and district administration, facilities operations and maintenance, and transportation. Apart from targeted Indigenous Education funding, Boards have the autonomy to allocate operational funding as they deem appropriate. Although districts have the ability to generate operating funds locally, through ventures such as facility rentals, interest generation, international student programs, and transportation fees, the bulk of operating funds are provided by the Ministry.

Superintendent Donna Kriger provided context to the information initially shared by local media outlets, including the Salmon Arm Observer. Trustees have encouraged Senior Leadership to review the proposed budget and find ways to reduce the direct impact on student supports in the classroom.