WHEREAS many school districts throughout the Province of BC are struggling to fund and operate facilities and programs within their jurisdiction with the funding formula that has been established by the Ministry of Education; AND WHEREAS the Province is responsible through its own ministries or crown corporations for the setting of rates for BC Hydro, ICBC and MSP premiums: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the provincial government to complete an independent review of the funding formula used to fund public education.
Ministry of Education Government works with its education sector partners to review the education funding formula annually. The funding formula ensures a consistent and equitable approach to allocating operating funds to school districts. It is primarily based on the number of enrolled students, but also considers students with unique needs, and unique geographic factors of each district. Total funding to school districts has increased 32 since 2001, while enrolment decreased by more than 70,000 students in this same period. Over this period, measures of student achievement have improved and the K-12 system continues to deliver some of the best educational outcomes in the world. Compared to a decade or more ago, the financial position of school districts has dramatically improved all 60 school districts have an accumulated surplus. Budget 2016 increased funding for education by 110 million to a record total of 5.6 billion.