The Central Okanagan School District is considering implementing some significant cost-saving measures next school year to balance its budget. Commissioner Kevin Kaardal’s 2022/23 Budget Report, to be presented to Central Okanagan public school administrators next week, is a series of measures to reduce costs and increase revenue, as the school district faces an expected $ 3.332 million deficit. Kaardal says the budget deficit is a result of the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s non-increase in operating subsidy over the previous year. “Operating grant financing will not address the significant increases in inflation costs facing the region,” the report said. The region is cutting 7.5 equivalent full-time key positions to save $ 795,540. The district also plans to save $ 347,269 as it returns to “pre-pandemic levels of COVID-19”, which will allow the district to cut seven security posts. In addition, a “school reorganization” will allow the district to cut two deputy principal positions, saving $ 311,040. And a rapid test program for school staff choosing not to be vaccinated for COVID-19 was discontinued last month, which is expected to save about $ 50,000. Other austerity measures include delaying “computer technology upgrades”, reducing school-based flu vaccination clinics and “shifting the mental health support model”. The district is also exploring the expansion of the International Education Program by 30 students, which is expected to generate additional revenue of $ 450,000. The combined savings and revenue generation measures are expected to cut $ 3.332 million from the 2022/23 budget. The school administrators will consider the recommendations at the meeting of the Finance and Audit Committee next Wednesday.
