2010 Provincial Budget – AFG restored, and other highlights

The 2010/11 provincial budget announced today contained an overall funding increase of $112 million to operating grants for school districts in 2010/2011.

BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA) President Connie Denesiuk says, "Today’s budget included some encouraging moves in the right direction. We are particularly pleased that the Annual Facilities Grant (AFG) funding is being replaced, and that increases in teacher wages and benefits will be fully funded.”

While boards of education continue to struggle with very tight budgets, and many boards are facing school closures and program cuts, the outlook is more positive than last year. 

Other positive news includes additional funding for student sports, which encompasses support for school team travel, as requested in Resolution 30 from the 2008 BCSTA annual general meeting.  CommunityLINK funding (Learning Includes Nutrition and Knowledge) has been maintained and returned to the education budget from the Ministry of Housing and Social Development’s community gaming grant.

President Denesiuk acknowledges the significant advocacy work done by boards of education across the province. “Your voices, our voices, are making a difference.  I am proud of the work that boards of education as well as our Association have undertaken to advocate for public education.” 

For more information contact:

BCSTA Executive Director Stephen Hansen
e-mail: shansen@bcsta.org
Phone: 604-734-2721 (115)

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