The budget process in the Greater Victoria School District is off to an earlier-than-normal start.
A committee meeting is set for Nov. 15, while a student-led forum will be held Nov. 25.
The move follows pushback from the public after proposed cuts, mainly to music programs, in the 2020-21 budget generated controversy last spring.
“If you were to ask the public, I think they sort of felt like stuff was just dropped on them,” said Greater Victoria School Board chairwoman Ann Whiteaker, adding it’s clear the public wants to have “a good understanding” of the budget.
“They want us to consider all options, so let’s start right away,” Whiteaker said. “We’ll go through and we’ll include partner groups and we’ll take input.”
In the spring, students, parents and teachers held protests over possible cuts to music programs and reductions to other services. Cuts to music ended up being held to five per cent.
Independent adviser Joan Axford, a former Saanich School District secretary-treasurer, ended up being called in to look at the budget.
