DPAC Ministry of Education Funding Update

Operating Grants 2018/19

• On March 14, the Ministry of Education (MoE) announced district Operating Grants for 2018/19. 
  
• From the March 14 Committee V report:
  • For the September 2018 enrolment intake, the Ministry has projected 3,000 more students in the province as compared to the current school year.
  • Vancouver is one of 10 school districts in the province that is projected to have declining enrolment, as mentioned previously.
  • The provincial block grant has increased by $130 million of which $105 million relates to collective agreement wage lifts for teachers and support staff and increase enrolment in the province. There is a $25 million add back for administrative savings.
• On March 5, VSB wrote to the Ministers of Finance and Education to lay out concerns about the Employer Health Tax.
  

Capital Funding

• On March 27, the MoE announced some of the funding approved from district Capital Plan funding requests submitted last June including $65 million for School Enhancement Program (SEP), $5 million for Carbon Neutral Capital Program (CNCP) and $12.5 million for School Bus Replacement Program (SBRP).
  
• VSB's request (pages 44 & 45)
• VSB will receive $981,000 from the School Enhancement Program for:
  • Washroom upgrades at Champlain Heights Elementary, Thunderbird Elementary and Lord Byng Secondary
  • Fire alarm upgrades at Magee Secondary
  • PA system upgrades at ten schools
  • Roofing upgrades at five schools

K-12 Public Education Funding Review

• Ministry announcement on March 1.
  
• Ministry website information.
• Submissions already received.
• Funding model review discussion paper. School districts are encouraged to work with parents to gather their views on how funds should be allocated. Submit questions and submissions to k12fundingreview@gov.bc.ca by April 30.
• VSB report to be given at April 4 Committee I.

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