The B.C. government announced a $150 increase in education funding on Jan. 31, but the Howe Sound School District won't know how the extra money will be used or how much there will be.
"We don't know what impact that will have in Howe Sound," said Rick Erickson, the superintendent of schools for district 48. "We are going to be getting money. We don't know how much or what strings are attached."
He said any funding or support is appreciated.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Education the funding for the 2005/06 school year will be more than $4.025 billion, or an estimated $7,079 per student.
However, the funding for school districts is based on projected enrolment figures, and the 2005/60 budget will be finalized after enrolment figures from districts are provided Sept. 30.
The government will require school boards to work with educators, parents and school planning councils to provide a plan showing where the additional funding will be used. The plans have to ensure all students have access to school libraries, quality learning resources, music and arts programs and improved services to support special needs students.
"With this additional funding, school boards have the money they need to plan for their student populations and enhance library services, music and arts programs and special needs education," said Premier Gordon Campbell in the press release.
"We'd like to have money to support some of the programs we have and would like to offer in all areas of curriculum," Erickson said.
He said he wasn't going to start writing cheques before the money was in the school district's bank account.
Erickson said he expected to be told how much money the school would receive by mid March.
The $150 million is the largest increase in education funding in a decade. During the 2000/01 school year, the education budget was $3.72 billion, or $6,216 per student.
Public school enrollment has declined by 29,300 students since 2000/01, said the press release announcing the new funding.
