SD72 Board Approves 2025-2026 Annual Operating Budget

After a third and final reading, School District 72’s Board of Education has voted to approve the proposed preliminary annual operating budget - $92,234,938 - for the upcoming school year.

With forecasted total revenues of $91 million and total costs of $91.3 million, it results in a capital deficit of $227,605.

At their meeting last month, the board held the first two readings of the budget, which were passed, but they did not unanimously agree to hold all three required readings at that meeting.

All BC boards of education are required to submit a balanced budget by the end of June each year.

The budget includes $650,000 in savings by shifting to teacher librarians providing prep coverage, resulting in the reassignment of five specialist prep teachers, in areas such as art and PE.

There’s also a $450,000 addition to support IT device replacement and other supports.

It’s based on an estimated student enrolment of 5,757 full-time equivalent students for September.

At the same meeting, trustees voted to increase their compensation following the annual trustee remuneration formula.

Based on current information on other Vancouver Island school districts and student funding, the formula recommended an annual increase of $552 for the chairperson, $633 for the vice-chairperson, and $430 for trustees.

The new annual compensation amounts will be $ 19,831 for the chairperson, $18,341 for the vice-chairperson, and $16,925 for trustees.

The formula was set by a community-based committee in 2005, and the board reviews the compensation levels each year.

For highlights of the June 17 Board Meeting, visit SD 72.