VANCOUVER — Education Minister Mike Bernier is set to meet with the chairman of the Vancouver School Board next week in hopes of helping trustees submit a balanced budget by the June deadline.
The board has voted 5-4 against a preliminary budget containing a $24-million shortfall.
Chairman Mike Lombardi, three other Vision Vancouver trustees and a lone Green party trustee voted to defeat the proposed budget that was also voted on by four Non-Partisan Association trustees.
The School Act requires boards to submit balanced budgets by June 30, and gives Bernier the power to fire all the Vancouver trustees if they don't comply.
Bernier says firing is a last resort and that he will explore other options, including urging the board to close schools where falling enrolment has left some classrooms empty.
He says Vancouver trustees have a history of approving deficit budgets in preliminary votes but somehow find enough cash to create a surplus by the time the final vote is taken.
Vision trustees have vowed to fight what they say is continued government underfunding that will force layoffs and cuts to special education and elementary music programs in the fall.
"I don't understand why the Vancouver board continues to threaten to cancel these amazing programs for our students," Bernier said in a conference call from his Peace River South riding.
"Vancouver should be enhancing learning experiences for all students, not protecting empty seats in schools."
Bernier pointed to an auditor's review in 2015 that found the Vancouver School Board could save up to $37 million by closing underutilized schools.
