The Delta school board has done the best it can to prepare for an uncertain future.
That was the message from chairperson Dale Saip at the board's budget consultation meeting Tuesday.
The relatively quick meeting was an opportunity for the public to make submissions and suggestions on next year's operating budget, however, nobody registered to speak. The only question from the audience in the sparsely attended meeting was from a parent that noted the board dipped into an unexpected surplus to help balance the books this year. She wondered what the board expects to do next year.
"As a board and organization, we're well positioned. We played it the best we can with caution and this is a very conservative group," answered Saip.
"We need to plan the best we can for the future, knowing that future could change."
The board recently announced it's facing a shortfall of just over $2 million for the 2012/13 school year as declining enrollment continues to be a factor.
Another factor was a $124,000 shortfall in the transportation budget next year due to reduced funding.
The district late last year received unexpected allocation of one-time funds, helping it finish the current school year with a rare surplus of $1.9 million. It meant that cuts could be avoided, as most of that unexpected money will go towards balancing the budget.
In addition to continued declining enrollment in upcoming years, the district knows it will also face further reductions for transportation in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Trustee Laura Dixon said the school district will work with the Delta District Parent Advisory Council to seek community solutions to the transportation slash, which is occurring over a three-year period.
Meanwhile on the teachers' contract front, the Delta district this week announced the annual spring elementary track meets have been cancelled.
"We regret having to cancel these events, but due to the ongoing issues following the teacher labour dispute, the ability to organize and coordinate these large district events is unavailable," according to the district.
Delta teachers a few weeks ago voted to begin withdrawing from extracurricular activities following the provincial government's introduction of Bill 22, which banned further job action by teachers.
The teachers' contract expired last June and the union and government have been in a bitter stalemate ever since. Teachers this week voted on whether to implement a Bill 22 Action Plan, which includes several protest measures. It could include a full withdrawal of services.
