Many secondary and primary schools utilize portables as temporary classrooms for overflow students. There is currently a lack of classroom space available for children in Surrey. Putting students into portables is not conducive to learning.
“We need to find a better way to fund and support high growth school districts instead of the archaic education funding formula that currently exists,” said Anita Huberman, CEO Surrey Board of Trade.
The Surrey Board of Trade has been trying to instigate change over many years to remove portables and increase space available for the growing Surrey student population. An independent task force will be releasing their review on how much funding is needed for Surrey schools. This is a step in the right direction to ensure our children are given the best chance to perform.
“We saw hundreds of K-12 students in Surrey will yet again be learning in portables for the 2018-2019 school season and the foreseeable future.”
The panel will review the current funding model — how government distributes more than $5.65 billion in operating funding to 60 boards of education throughout B.C. The current system was established in 2002 and needs to be updated to reflect changes underway within B.C.’s education system to better support student success. A new model will be developed by government with implementation planned for the 2019-20 school year.
“The Surrey Board of Trade also looks forward to how a new funding model will better support vulnerable students, including children in care, children with special needs and Indigenous students.”
Surrey has the largest school district in BC. Classrooms have been growing as a result of Surrey’s rapidly growing population and demographics of young families. Enrolment is rising faster than current capital planning can keep up.
While the Surrey Board of Trade focuses on business-related issues, it is imperative that our future workforce are taken care of to ensure optimal productivity. With over 6,000 business contacts the Surrey Board of Trade ensures that all aspects of economic development are considered when pursuing policy to instigate change at the different levels of government.
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