Editor,
I served on a school board for 17 years before I became an MLA. I understand the significant challenges that go along with trying to ensure that every student gets the best education possible and that every tax dollar is put to good use serving our youth. School board budgets are often tight and it takes dedicated administrators, teachers and staff to make everything work.
Much to my dismay, the NDP government’s new Employer Health Tax (EHT) is going to force school districts across our province to take a serious blow to their already lean financial operations. Although most of the media coverage around this has been focused on the sudden $2.7 million net increase to the Vancouver School Board’s costs or the additional $7 million the Surrey School Board will have to locate for next year, smaller school districts are being hit hard as well.
Schools in our riding will also be negatively impacted. For the 2019/2020 school year, SD 78 Fraser-Cascade is looking at an increase in costs of $64,855. That same year, SD 58 Nicola-Similkameen is looking at $136,545 in new costs and SD 74 Gold Trail is looking at a rise in costs totaling $130,000, as the NDP simultaneously charge both MSP and EHT. Looking at numbers like these across the province, I’m left pondering an important question.
Where in the budget is the increase in school board funding from the government to cover this sudden imposition of costs?
I can’t find it. Teachers can’t find it. Administrators can’t find it, and as far as I can tell — the Minister of Education can’t find it either.
Jackie Tegart
MLA Fraser-Nicola