School District 72 is starting their process to develop the 2025-2026 school year budget after spring break.
"It looks very similar to what we've done in past years other than we're starting it in April rather than In March," said secretary-treasurer Kevin Patrick on the budget schedule. "We're doing that because we're heading into a deficit here. We expect it to be $1 million. It could be more, [it] could be less. We will find out those details. We get our funding announcement this Friday (March 14), and then we will find out our estimated costs over spring break."
Consultations with partner groups will begin on April 9. The district will review the budget with parents at the district parent advisory council meeting on April 22 at 7 p.m.
Deadline for submissions and presentations about the operating budget for the 2025-2026 school year is May 7. Proposals must be in before 12 p.m. People and groups wishing to make submissions need to contact Natalie Crawshaw at the district's secretary-treasurer's office. Natalie can be contacted at 250-830-2302 or natalie.crawshaw@sd72.bc.ca.
The board will hear the presentations during their meeting on May 13.
May 27 is the target date for adopting the 2025-2026 budget.
"This is the planned schedule, but we might need to make some amendments. We have to pass the budget, according to the School Act, by June 30. We will try to stick to the schedule but just give the board notice that we might have to make some changes," said Patrick.
