33 School Districts Hit By Funding Freeze Despite Increasing Costs

VICTORIA— The B.C. Liberal government’s decision to freeze operating grants for 33 school districts will lead to larger classes and fewer supports for vulnerable students in communities around the province say New Democrats.Robin Austin

“The B.C. Liberal government’s decision to freeze operating grants for 33 districts will leave children in overcrowded classrooms with fewer supports,” said New Democrat education critic Robin Austin. “Worse, the release they snuck out the door last night reiterates their promise to make B.C. the most literate jurisdiction on the continent, even while they freeze funding for districts that are already drowning in increased costs.

The education ministry announcement, released late yesterday, was titled “education funding to increase for the tenth straight year.” It fails to note that all districts have been left to fully shoulder several major costs resulting from B.C. Liberal government decisions including:

  • $23.1 million for increased pension costs
  • $6.3 million to calculate carbon footprints and buy carbon offsets
  • $3.3 million trades adjustment
  • $2.8 million in increased medical plan costs
  • $2.4 million in increased hydro costs (not including the cost of the most recent hike)

“The B.C. Liberal government continues to relentlessly spin their failure to protect education.” said Austin. “This latest press release is a slap in the face to the province’s educational partners – it misrepresents the financial difficulties facing districts.”

Even some districts that are receiving increases to their operating grants will still have to make cuts to the classroom to deal with increasing costs. For example, although the Vancouver school board received a 0.1 per cent increase in their operating grant, they still face up to $17 million dollars in unfunded costs.

“The B.C. Liberal government continues to mislead British Columbians about the state of our education system instead of having an honest conversation about the need to invest in literacy and education for the benefit of our children and the economy,” said Austin.

Carole James and the New Democrats have been holding the B.C. Liberals accountable for breaking their word on the HST, and for backtracking on their election promises to protect health care, education, and other vital services.