Comox Valley Schools has been working hard over the last few months as it looks where to best spend money from the provincial Student and Family Affordability Fund.

The fund supports students and families through the expansion of school food programs, and assists with offsetting some costs and fees during this period of high inflation.

Comox Valley Schools is receiving more than $980-thousand through the fund, and to determine how best to allocate the funds, SD71 staff formed a committee and engaged in discussions with a number of local partners, including the Indigenous Education Council, the LUSH Valley Food Action Society, the District Parents Advisory Council, unions, teachers groups, and more.

The consultations focused on using the funds creatively and flexibly to have a broad impact on students most in need of support.

The approach and allocated funding have been broken into three main tiers; $500,000 implemented at the school level; $350,000 at the  district level in consultation with area stakeholders; and $100,000 set aside for contingency costs as needed.