Posted on: March 28, 2002

VICTORIA, BC -- The government is providing a one-time grant of $44.6 million to schools in B.C. through savings in the ministry's budget, Minister of Education Christy Clark announced today.

"Our government is committed to ensuring that every education dollar goes to students first," Clark said. "We recognize that districts are facing a variety of cost pressures. The additional dollars we achieved through savings in our budget will benefit all districts, and allow them to meet student needs in their communities."

School boards will be required to use the funding to retire existing debt first, but any remaining funds can be allocated at each district's discretion to meet local priorities.

The one-time grant will be allocated to school districts on a per-pupil basis, using September 2001 enrolment figures. School districts will receive nearly $42.8 million, and independent schools will receive a proportional share, totalling $1.8 million. The grant for independent schools is based on the same formula used for calculating their annual operating grants.

Clark noted that the ministry had anticipated some one-time savings, but the full extent of those savings could not be verified until near the end of this fiscal year.

"Our new funding formula gives trustees greater flexibility and autonomy in allocating funds to meet local priorities," Clark said. "Districts will be able to use these one-time discretionary grants where they're most needed."