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After facing one of the most challenging budget cycles in the school district’s history last spring, this year’s budget could be hit even harder if there is no provincial funding to cover a payout ordered by an arbitrator.

Across BC, the salary arbitration ruling is uniquely impacting the 91���� School District with the potential to cost $9.4 million – an amount that is more than double the $4.2 million in cuts made for the 2025-26 budget year.

91���� Chair Kristin Schnider:

“No one expected to be in this position. This has shaken the school district and has the potential to devastate delivery of education across 91���� Schools.”

The Arbitrator ruled that as of July 1, 2022, beginning teachers, who are in year one, should have been paid one step higher than they were. This impacted more than 800 teachers.

There is one matter that is in dispute. If it is resolved in favour of the union, the District estimates the total cost to be $9.4 million.

In talks with government, Trustees have emphasized that the costs should have been fully funded at the time of the 2022 collective agreement if the provincial body – the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) – had accurately interpreted the collective agreement and given the District the correct direction.

“We’re not asking for a bailout,” said Schnider. “This follows provincial bargaining framework and we’re asking the government to uphold their end.”

Trustees have underscored to the provincial government that it should have covered the total cost through monies allocated for labour settlement and what’s called salary differential funding. (Salary differential is part of the ongoing operating grant provided by the Ministry that increases funding for districts with higher-than-average teacher salaries.)

Based on conversations with the Ministry, $4.6 million of funding that would have been generated through salary differential has been included in the current year’s financial projections. Currently, there is no guaranteed provincial commitment for any funding. The Board has asked the Ministry to submit a request within government for full funding of the $9.4 million.

“We know the province has its own fiscal challenges, but that does not negate provincial responsibility,” said Schnider. “We don’t want the impact of this to be felt by local 91���� children in the classroom.”

Boards of Education are legally required to pass a balanced budget.

Learn More

Budget 2026-27 Process and Feedback
April 2026

Freshet News, April 15, 2026

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Posted April 15, 2026