By Tom Mark

Vernon School Trustees Confirm 2018-19 Budget

May 24, 2018 | 11:34 AM

The Vernon School Board has approved the budget for the 2018-18 school year.

The 109 million dollar plus budget now goes to the provincial government for final approval.

Secretary Treasurer Sterling Olson doesn’t expect much to change between now and September.

“The only changes, changes really on the revenue side will be a result of changes in enrolment. So of course if our enrolment goes up we’ll get some extra money. If enrolment goes down we’ll get less money.”

Those enrolment numbers wouldn’t be known until the end of September.

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The board decided to go ahead with charging courtesy riders on school buses.

“Three hundred dollars per courtesy rider. Letters have gone out to all the parents that had courtesy rides this year. We’re in the process of having them re-register.”

There is a hardship clause for parents who can’t pay.

The budget includes funding for a crossing guard at Beairsto School.

Olson adds the most disappointing aspect of the budget is having to accommodate the employer health tax initiated by the provincial government.

It comes into effect January 1st of 2019 as the government prepares to eliminate MSP premiums January 1st of 2020.

It is greater than the school district’s MSP premiums and for the 2018-19 school year is expected to be an added 344 thousand dollar cost.

by Tom Mark