The Cowichan Valley School District 79 is estimating a shortfall of about $3.7 million for the 2016/17 budget.
Secretary Treasurer Jason Sandquist says this budget is still in the preliminary discussions and its unknown at this time what might be on the chopping block. The school board is hosting a public meeting to gain some feedback tonight at the district offices tonight at 5:30pm.
Sandquist says changes will have to be made.
It’s the first time in seven years the Cowichan Valley School District is not under funding protection, which means $1.1 million that the district had in 2015/16 is not available this year.
Funding protection is an additional amount provided to eligible districts to ensure that districts are protected against any funding decline larger than 1.5% when compared to the previous September.
The Cowichan Valley School District 79 is projecting a modest increase in enrolment of 25 students.
