B.C. School District Implements Further Cuts After $2.2M Accounting Error

The Kamloops-Thompson School District is making additional budget cuts, including staff reductions, to manage a deficit exceeding $2 million caused by an accounting error.

Rhonda Nixon, superintendent of School District 73, explained that the error resulted from a piece of revenue being mistakenly counted twice in the district's financial forecast. The audited financial statements reveal a $784,021 deficit in the operating fund and a $1.27 million shortfall in the local capital fund, which is allocated for items such as desks, computers, and portable classrooms.

A budget reduction plan presented at a September school board meeting detailed measures to cut back on supplies and services at the district level, increase mileage fees for field trips, and suspend professional development that requires substitute staff.

To ease the impact, Nixon said the district is spreading out the necessary cuts over one to three years to prevent abrupt changes. However, the district has now had to implement staff reductions to help avoid a future deficit. Nixon could not specify how many staff members were affected but emphasized that the cuts were limited to the district level and did not impact classroom teaching.

Darcy Martin, president of the Kamloops Thompson Teachers' Association, praised the district’s handling of the situation, noting their transparency and efforts to shield students and schools from significant disruptions. "Given the circumstances, we believe the district has done an admirable job of protecting education services and keeping the focus on students," Martin said.