Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.

Vernon School Budget A Balancing Act

Apr 26, 2018 | 12:22 PM

It appears the Vernon School District is going to end this school year with a surplus.

A report to the school board Wednesday night projects a surplus of 403 thousand dollars to possibly as high as 1.1 million.

Board Chair Kelly Smith says there were various reasons for that.

“The money comes from areas such as our international program, wages that were budgeted for our principals and vice-principals were not approved to pay out.”

As well, two teaching positions were not filled last year because no one was qualified for them and substitute teacher costs were less than budgeted for.

The surplus will be moved to the 2018/19 school year to help balance the budget for that year.

Meanwhile, school bus routes proposed for cutting won’t be, but courtesy riders could face a charge.

“The board determined that it would be a good idea to institute a 300 dollar fee for courtesy riders and maintain all the routes as they are now.”

There would be help for students who can’t pay.

“When kids can’t do certain things in the school system there is a way to get those fees waived and get them covered by the district”

Smith says the Education Ministry provides a 371 thousand dollar supplement for transportation but the real cost is two million dollars.

The budget goes for final approval May 23rd.