Budget axe swings at Vernon School District

by Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star posted May 1, 2014 at 7:00 AM

Staff will be handed layoff notices at the Vernon School District. To deal with a $1.4 million shortfall in 2014/15, trustees announced Wednesday that expenditures have to be reduced due to increased costs."These cost reductions will result in some reallocation of staff. For some staff members, it will translate into reduced hours of work while for others it will result in layoffs," said Bill Turanski, board chairperson."We are currently proceeding with this staff restructuring process. It is hoped that with continued future enrolment growth and the Minister of Education’s commitment to examine the funding formula, the district will not need to make future cuts."

The following expenditure reductions are being proposed by the board:
District office expenditures - $133,667
Reduction in transportation routes - $125,000
Reduction in maintenance expenditures - $84,306
Reduction in library staffing - $96,987
Reduction in school clerical staffing - $61,475
Reduction in school vice-principal staffing - $64,500
Reduction in school supply budgets - $64,155
Restructuring special education support staff - $342,117
Reallocation of anticipated year end surplus - $517,279

Turanski says the shortfall is due to the following cost pressures not funded by the Ministry of Education:
Increased Medical Services Plan costs
Increased municipal pension costs
Increased Workers’ Compensation rates
Increased B.C. Hydro rates
Increased CUPE wage costs
Increased teacher and CUPE benefits costs
Inflationary costs for supplies