Surrey school district seeks public feedback on budget allocations
The consultation process for Surrey school district's budget for next year is underway, and the board is asking parents, guardians, staff, and others for feedback.
"Every year, we ask our school communities and the public on what's important to them so that we may better understand their priorities and explore how we can address them through our budget," Terry Allen, vice-chair of the Surrey school board and chair of the board's finance committee, said in a release.
The online survey, running until Feb. 27, is available online in various languages but can also be submitted through emailing consultation@surreyschools.ca, mailing to 14033 92 Ave., Surrey, B.C., V3V 0B7 or via a PAC representative.
The district's annual operating budget is $1.14 billion, according to a Surrey Schools infographic.
The special purpose section of the budget, consisting of 11.2 per cent, is what public feedback will be considered under, which is reserved for classroom enhancement, donations, scholarships, facilities grants, and provincial resource programs.
During the taking of the survey, participants can share how they would like the district to use funding by highlighting problem areas throughout schools in Surrey and White Rock.
Last year, there were 6,700 responses, the district notes, with counselling and mental health services, technology, equipment, supplies, career education, and support for students with different needs being the most common areas where respondents asked for funding to go.
New school spaces were also heavily mentioned, but those projects fall under the capital budget, not operating.
