It's becoming common for education news to be reporting a new school board is struggling with a looming budget crisis. Funding shortfalls are common place. Unexpected costs downloaded to Boards are also a problem. And I will be the first to admit that the schools need some solutions to the lack of services affecting our kids.
I think we really need to look at budget management also. I am not confident the Ministry of Education has the oversight ability they need. It is not uncommon for local schools who find themselves tight towards the end of the year to "borrow" from the next year's budget. I'm trying to find out more about how this works, but obviously am having some difficulties. I've heard of a school that was operating a full year behind due to this very type of spending. Unfortunately, haven't been able to get any information on the record yet. Just talk from admin staff/teachers off the record.
When a principal starts at a new school, some are unaware of the budget issues they are walking into. You assume that you are walking in with a clean slate. But not always the case.
I'd like to see more information reported about these issues as we see more and more districts in the news for funding shortfalls. Is the balanced budget requirement being observed and monitored responsibly?
Parents are asked what services we'd like to cut to compensate for funding shortfalls. Give parents the full story then. Not just the story you want us to hear.
We'd love your support!
http://bluecrowd.ca/projects/bc-partners-in-education1/204
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