Education and the 2009 Budget
Janet Steffenhagen
Feb 18, 2009
Vancouver Sun

…But while education got more money, both teachers and trustees said the small increase wasn't enough to cover rising costs and the result would be cuts in classrooms. It was difficult yesterday to pin down the exact size of the increase for K-12 public schools. …In any case, the amount isn't significant -- especially since the teachers' salary increase alone will require about $50 million. …

Budget days are always a bit crazy. …It's always a challenge in the lockup to figure out what money is "new" and what has been announced previously. Take the capital spending, for example. The budget promises $1.3 billion over three years to replace, renovate or expand K-12 facilities (including seismic upgrades). But as we found out, that is for projects already planned or underway.

The budget also calls for administrative savings in most, if not all, ministries. Boards of education have been told to find $12 million collectively in savings each year and direct that money to the classroom. …