A balanced budget that pulled almost $700,000 from School District 57's diminishing surplus received reluctant support of five trustees, with one opposed at Tuesday's board meeting.
"We all recognize that this is not a sustainable practice," said finance chair Brenda Hooker of drawing from the surplus, which now sits at $1.2 million.
"Yet we're required as a board to present a balanced budget to the Ministry (of Education)."
That's down from the $4.2 million that sat in surplus last June.
Tuesday presented the third and final reading for a budget process that started with a
$3.3 million deficit.
The board heard at a mid-May special meeting that much of the savings were through about
$1 million in cuts from the aboriginal education program, about $382,000 in equipment and technology savings and about $1.3 million taken from unexpended school operational budgets. It was noted some schools may have saved that money for future projects.
The budget passed five in favour, with Trish Bella as the one opposing vote.
Again all trustees expressed frustration with the funding levels for public education, many speaking in support of the budget because they would rather decisions remain with the elected board than a government-appointed administrator.
Chairperson Tony Cable said many campaigned before November's election on a promise of keeping cuts from the classroom "but no matter how hard we work, these cuts these reductions in the budget do affect schools."
"There's so much politics involved and it just leaves a bad taste in your mouth," said Cable of education funding.
In a separate motion, the board said it would send a letter to meet face-to-face with Education Minister Peter Fassbender when he visits Prince George next month.
To date, trustees said the request has gone unanswered.
Rural education in the north is a different phenomenon, said trustee Bruce Wiebe.
"The government has not given funding to the north (and School District 57) to accommodate the needs that we have in our district," said Wiebe, listing off a number of rural-specific costs, including busing and winter snow removal.
"Our board has wrestled with some really difficult things. Everyone has done what they can to try and help our students get the best education."
Sharel Warrington said she would reluctantly support the budget, but said the district's student's need more and that needs to be clear to the community.
"Our public isn't aware of what's happening in our schools."
