School closures not off the table for SD58 amid budget pressures

School District 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) held a public budget meeting on Wednesday (April 16) night to discuss budgetary pressure affecting the district and the district’s plan for the school year ahead.

Much like other districts across British Columbia — including Kamloops where 76.5 FTE positions are on the chopping block — Nicola-Similkameen trustees are looking to reduce their budget by approximately $1.5 million.

(Image credit – SD58 YouTube)

The district has seen a 5.35 per cent decrease in enrollment, resulting in an approximate $500,000 decrease in government funding.

 

Looking to right the ship amid the budgetary constraints placed upon the district, staffing cuts are currently on the table for both teachers and support staff under CUPE.

Staffing cuts total 14.85 FTE (full-time equivalents), including the complete removal of the Grade 7 Band and Summer Reading programs in the district.

 

(Image credit – SD58 YouTube)

On the CUPE side, the district is looking to cut down on custodial services during the summer and work with 8.0 FTE fewer educational assistants.

While the positions in the above graphic are all decreases to staffing, SD58 will be making some increases.

 

The end result gets the district to the needed $1.5 million in budget cuts for the 2025-26 school year.

It’s important to note the following proposals have not yet been ratified by the Board of Education. If approved, the plan would allow the district to end the next school year with an approximate $700,000 financial reserve.

During a question-and-answer period with assembled members of the public on Wednesday, the board was asked if closing schools was a possibility.

“We are looking at one of the other recommendations that came up was whether we would reduce one of our schools,” said Gordon Swan, SD58 board chair. “That could be $600,000-to-$800,000 costs that you could save, so we are looking at that. If we go through a school closing process that takes at least a year, because there is legislative pieces around that.”

Any move to close a school in Merritt would require extensive public consultation.

“A school closure is a really hard thing for a community and a board, but it’s not off the table for us,” said SD58 Superintendent Courtney Lawrance. “It is something we are exploring, as much as we love our buildings and communities. At the end of the day, it’s about people and if it would allow us to continue to fund positions, I think that is a serious consideration.”

The budget must be approved prior to June 30.