The Comox Valley Board of Education tabled the annual budget bylaw until the June 26 board meeting.The budget — which suggests cuts in various spending areas due to a funding shortfall of over $1.1 million — looks different this year compared to last year due to changes in accounting required by the Ministry of Education.According to School District 71 superintendent Sherry Elwood, one change made it look like the district plans to spend more this year in an area spending cuts were actually suggested.The board asked staff to create a supplementary package making it easier to compare this year’s budget with last year’s for trustees and the general public.• • •Trustees adopted the 2012/2013 Annual Facility Grant (AFG) bylaw in order to spend just over $1.2 million on various physical upgrades to schools in the district.The Ministry of Education previously approved this funding.• • •Trustees also approved spending over $4.1 million from SD71’s restricted capital fund for further work not covered by the AFG. About $5.5 million is currently in the restricted capital fund, according to secretary treasurer Russell Horswill.Trustee Rick Grinham said spending this money will not only provide much-needed improvements in district schools, but will also provide an infusion of cash into the Comox Valley through the various projects.

Comox Valley Record