Teachers’ association questioning budget process

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The Vernon Teachers Association is questioning why School District 22 is rushing the school budgeting process.

The first two readings of the budget bylaw are slated to take place April 24, 2019.

Lisa LaBoucane, President of the Vernon Teachers Association says many people have been wanting to provide input on the upcoming budget, but with two readings scheduled for the same day, they aren’t sure if they will be able to provide adequate feedback .

“Sometimes people can’t make meetings,” said LaBoucane.

“Is there a timeline issue is that why you are doing the two meetings ?” she asked.

The district admits they probably could have done things differently but said the timeline has already been approved by the board.

“From an HR perspective and a number of other reasons, really for all intents and purposes the budget needs to get approved so that we have direction as staff with respect to budgets, ” said Secretary Treasurer Sterling Olson who added that the only legislative requirement is for school boards to pass an approved budget by the end of June.

LaBoucane urged the board to consider the importance of public consultation before approving timelines for budgets.

“The budget process is very important and readings are supposed to be as such, they are supposed to be separate readings that allow for feedback in between,” she said.

The final reading and adoption of the 2019/ 2020 budget is scheduled to take place on May 15, 2019.