By Tom Mark

School Board Prepares For Budget Shortfall

Mar 15, 2018 | 5:27 PM

Vernon School trustees are continuing preparations for next school year’s budget.

They’ve now heard from the province on it’s 2018-19 funding announcement of 1.66 million dollars.

Board Chair Kelly Smith says there are still some questions on how the district will deal with the new Employer’s Health Tax that will replace MSP premiums.

“We do get some extra money from the ministry but not enough to cover the employee health tax but evidently that`s still under discussion.”

The board is still projecting a budget shortfall of 465 thousand dollars.

Employee Safety

Employers responsible for worker safety as heat wave hits Okanagan: WorksSafeBC

6h ago

mid- to high 30s

Cooling centres opening in Vernon as heat wave hits the Okanagan

6h ago

Firearm Charges, Vehicle Impounded

Weapon seized from impaired driver asleep in Lumby

8h ago

There are various cost pressures that have to be taken into account.

“But we do have another shortfall in that the benefit package that we have to renew for employees, that will go up so that is another hit to the bottom line.”

That hit is about 250 thousand dollars.

Smith says it’s too soon say how that will be covered, but there is no plan to reduce any benefits.

A special meeting will be held April 11th to draw up a draft budget adjustment plan.

That’s expected to be finalized and approved at a meeting April 25th with final reading of the budget bylaw scheduled for May 25th.

by Tom Mark