Budget 2026 - 27

Welcome!

School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) is committed to engaging parents, community members, and employees in the development of the 2026-27 Operating Budget. Your input helps us ensure our resources best support student success and reflect the priorities of the district.

About the Budget

The Board of Education is responsible for developing and approving the annual operating budget, which includes:

• Salaries and benefits
• Supplies and services
• Instruction
• Administration
• Operations and maintenance
• Transportation

Fiscal Year: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027

Budget Advisory Committee (BAC)

The BAC includes trustees, senior leadership, representatives from partner groups and union groups, as well as the Indigenous community. The committee meets 5-6 times between February and May and the role of the committee is to:

• Advise the Board of Education on budget allocations and priorities to best meet the needs of students
• Support open communication and clarity around financial decisions
• Report to the Board at monthly Regular Board meetings
• Recommend a balanced budget

Guiding Principles

Budget decisions are guided by the following principles:

• Maintenance or enhancement of quality programs and services for students
• Delivery of effective, efficient, and culturally appropriate programs and services
• Maintaining a safe and healthy learning and working environment
• Consideration of environmentally sustainable practices
• Maximizing the use of district facilities and instructional time
• Responsible management of reserve and contingency funds
• Long-term financial planning and management of surpluses/deficits
• Transparent communication with partner groups and the public
• Adherence to laws, regulations, and collective agreements
• Exploring opportunities for revenue generation
• Advocating for stable, predictable, adequate funding

Understanding School District Funds

School district budgets include several types of funds, each with specific purposes:

Operating Fund

• Covers day-to-day operating costs including: : salaries, benefits, supplies, instruction, administration, operations, and transportation

Capital Funds

• Used for building, renovating, or maintaining school facilities and major equipment
• Funded by provincial grants, local reserves, or special programs
• Note: Capital funds cannot be used for operating expenses like salaries

Special Purpose Funds

• Funds that are received with restrictions on how they can be spent

Why does this matter?

Understanding these categories helps clarify why some money can only be spent in certain ways and why budget decisions must balance many priorities and legal requirements.

How School District Funding Works in BC

• Provincial Grant Funding: Each year, the provincial government determines the total funding for public education and allocates it to school districts using a formula based mostly on enrolment
• Local Decision-Making: Boards manage and allocate their funding based on local spending priorities
• Transparency & Accountability: Districts must develop multi-year financial plans, report on student outcomes, and engage the community in budget decisions
• Goal: To ensure all students have access to quality education, through fair, transparent, and effective funding distribution.

For more information, visit the K-12 Funding and Allocation

How to Participate

• Attend the Public Budget Consultation Meeting: April 23, 2026, 6:00pm, siya House (425 Jermyn Avenue)
• Participate in our Budget Survey: March 4, 2026 - April 10, 2026
• Stay Informed: Follow updates on this page
• Contact Us: Do you have a question about the budget process? Email: communications@sd67.bc.ca

SD67 Financial Information

Access financial reports and past budgets here: SD67 Financial Information

Connect

Do you have a question about the budget process? Please email communications@sd67.bc.ca