Open Board Meeting

Summary

• School fee schedules (2026-2027): The board's annual fee schedule process was presented by Director of Instruction Aaron Davis. Key points:

  • Under Section 82 of the School Act, core instruction and required educational materials are provided free; fees may only be charged for optional enhancements beyond graduation requirements.
  • A $35 bulk school supply fee covers consumable personal-use items (paper, writing tools, etc.) at the elementary level; families can opt out or apply for financial hardship support.
  • Secondary school schedules include standardized agenda/planner fees, student activity fees, and supplemental course fees capped at district-set maximums across all schools.
  • Financial hardship language (Administrative Procedure 506) appears on all schedules, ensuring no student is excluded from optional activities due to inability to pay.
  • The committee unanimously recommended board approval of the 2026-2027 fee schedules.

• Third-quarter financial update (2025-2026): Secretary-Treasurer Flavia Coghlan and Executive Director of Finance Laura Lee Russell reported on results to March 31, 2026.

  • The VSB reported a year-to-date surplus of $7.48 million across all funds; no year-end deficit is projected.
  • The operating fund surplus of $8.53 million reflects timing differences, as the Ministry of Education grant (69.35% received to date) lags behind expenditures paid out across the year.
  • Teacher retroactive pay (3% increase back to July 1, 2025) was being processed for payment May 15, 2026; labour settlement funding confirmation from the Ministry is still pending.
  • Educational assistance salaries are tracking below budget due to high unpaid absences, offset by higher substitute costs; staff are monitoring whether Q4 staffing normalizes.
  • Any year-end surplus must first be directed to the contingency reserve, which has not yet reached the required minimum of 1% of budget; final decisions require board approval at the September meeting.
  • Identified risks include final enrollment counts, unanticipated Q4 cost pressures, capital project expenditures, and contingent liabilities.