Greater Victoria School District Faces $3.5 Million Deficit

The Greater Victoria School District (SD61) is confronting a projected deficit of $3.5 million as it approaches the 2026-2027 academic year. This financial shortfall has raised concerns among educators and community members about potential cuts to vital programs.

At a recent school board meeting on November 24, Sherri Bell, the trustee appointed by the British Columbia government, emphasized the urgency of identifying savings to address the deficit. “I’ve started to really dig in at where we can make savings, because we are looking at a substantial deficit,” she said.

Potential Impact on Educational Programs

In British Columbia, school districts are prohibited from operating with deficits, compelling SD61 to explore creative solutions or implement significant cuts. Carolyn Howe, president of the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association, indicated that many programs not enshrined in collective agreements are at risk. “That’s a lot of cuts,” Howe remarked, highlighting that music programs are often among the first to face reductions.

Howe noted that music educators in Victoria are particularly anxious about the possible impacts of budget cuts. “What we see elsewhere in the province is music gets cut. We also have additional councillors working in Victoria that could be cut. We’ve seen custodial cuts already. But everyone knows there’s nothing left to cut in Victoria,” she added.

The repercussions of these cuts are already being felt. The Moss Street Market, which operates during winter at the Sir James Douglas School, is currently facing challenges due to a lack of custodial support. The market’s executive director, Kyle Goulet, reported that the school district informed them that there would be no custodian available for five scheduled market dates this winter.

Despite these difficulties, the school district has found a solution to ensure the market can continue operating by moving it outdoors for spring dates and securing volunteers to cover December and January events. SD61 expressed gratitude to their Facilities Services Department for facilitating these arrangements, especially during the district’s winter break.

Governance and Representation Concerns

The governance structure of SD61 has also come under scrutiny following the dismissal of all nine trustees by Education Minister Lisa Beare in January 2026. This action was taken due to a dispute over student safety plans, particularly the board’s reluctance to include police liaison officers. Beare appointed Bell as the sole trustee to oversee the district’s affairs.

Howe expressed concerns that this consolidation of power could diminish community representation. “One trustee doesn’t have that same pressure. In fact, she’s responsible to answer to someone different, the provincial government, not the electorate,” Howe noted.

There is the possibility for the education minister to appoint additional trustees, although the ministry has only stated that a general trustee election is scheduled for September 2026 as part of the regular electoral cycle. This election will coincide with municipal elections, leaving the current governance situation in a state of uncertainty until then.

As SD61 navigates this significant deficit, the implications for students, educators, and the community remain a pressing concern. The district’s ability to maintain essential programs and services may hinge on the decisions made in the coming months.