“We are going to have some difficult conversations”: Bennett on SD 57 finances

PRINCE GEORGE — Numbers were the hot topic at the first board meeting of the year for School District 57 Wednesday night. Following last week’s announcement of an expected $2.3 million shortfall in funding, a lot of conversation was held around surplus and how it impacts the financial standing for the district.

Some savings were seen due to COVID-19 with on-call teachers and additional coverage not being needed late last school year. However, Board Chair Tim Bennett said difficult decisions will need to be made across all facets of the school board in the near future, with those conversations already being held. Part of that will also depend on what the final outlook is for this week’s 1701 count which is where the Ministry of Education does a physical count of students. All of this will come before the end of the year.

“We get our funding announcement in December for the amended annual budget in January so these conversations are happening now,” explained Bennett. “Some decisions are already being made, especially around the reorganization of our schools because we know that we are not going to get the same level of funding that we thought we were this school year.”

Apart from finances, a few minor amendments to modernize already existing policies were discussed at Wednesday’s meeting. One approved amendment surrounds school bus conduct and misconduct. Two policies approved in principle, regarding winter weather and attendance, have been distributed for a 60-day public input. Information on those changes and feedback opportunities are available on the School District 57 website.