Financial challenges faced by school trustees under the province’s education funding model were highlighted at the latest meeting of the Campbell River school board.
Chair Kat Eddy told the meeting SD 72 is not experiencing growth in student enrollment and is currently in a deficit position.
She says it’s a long-term problem, but the board remains committed to “equity, strategic priorities, and keeping students at the heart of every decision.”
Eddy says trustees are required to pass a balanced budget each year and have to make difficult decisions regarding financial responsibility, while considering the success of students.
She says the province has the second-lowest funding for public K–12 education in Canada, which creates a particular challenge for smaller districts.
Eddy says stable, sufficient, and sustainable public education funding is essential and warned that current funding levels risk eroding quality services for students and families.
She praised district parent advisory councils for calling on the provincial government to re-examine the funding model and says their efforts, along with ongoing advocacy by the BC School Trustees Association, reflect a widespread call for increased investment in staffing, infrastructure, and supports for diverse learners.
