School District 57 had a productive year, despite required cuts

School District 57’s Board had to make some tough decisions for next year to make the provincial government’s mandatory administrative savings cuts.

But even the ability to make those choices was limited.

“With the administrative savings, the Ministry has a template and they have specific places where you take the money from,” says Board Chair Tony Cable. “But it’s basically money that we don’t have to use in other areas and it’s taken out year after year.”

Essentially, it’s looking like the district will have to operate with $727,000 less from now on.

“They gave us some money back this year but there’s no indication whether that’s going to happen again or whether we’re going to have to continue to make these savings in the future.”

Cable said they tried to ensure minimal impact to students but $450,000 is being cut from support for improving learning, increasing student capacity and Essential 8 Conditions for Learning.

When the provincial government announced earlier this year that it would not be requiring school districts around the province to make further planned savings cuts, the school board sent a letter to the Ministry of Education asking that the current cuts be cancelled as well. They have yet to receive a response but Cable says they remain hopeful.

Despite the cuts, Cable says it’s been a productive year for the board and the district.

“I think it’s been a great year and we’ve worked really hard on our work plan. We are almost ready to publish our strategic plan. We accomplished a lot so I’m really pleased with the work that senior staff and trustees have done.”

Cable also pointed to the Rural Education Report and new technology plan as evidence of the Board’s progress this year.

The District also has plans for the summer, including beginning radon screening in all district schools and reconstruction and improvements to Nusdeh Yoh Elementary’s parking lot.