Qualicum School District wrestles wiuth budget shortfall

The school board approved a recommendation that the district use its unrestricted surplus fund to cover the shortfall

School District 69 (Qualicum) still has a $287,217 shortfall to cut from their pending 2015/16 preliminary operating budget.

At Tuesday’s special public board meeting, the board approved a recommendation made by secretary treasurer Phil Turin that the district use its unrestricted surplus fund to cover these costs.

The other reconciliation options that Turin presented were to increase district revenues or implement reductions in supplies, services and/or staffing.

The current draft of the 2015/16 budget estimates the district’s revenue to come in at just over $40.5 million, which represents an overall increase in revenues of $1.255 million from the past year.

The balanced budget will be finalized at the next regular school board meeting on April 28.

The board also approved the 2015/16 school calendars for False Bay Elementary, CEAP and the remainder of the district at Tuesday’s meeting. All schools will send a copy their final calendars to parents by May 31, said chair Eve Flynn.

Parksville Qualicum Beach News