SD60 approves $107M+ 2026/2027 budget

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The School District 60 (SD 60) is gearing up to finalize its $107 million annual budget for the school year 2026-2027. 

At the May 19th SD60 board meeting, the latest draft of the preliminary budget was presented with amended numbers and approved for its first and second reading. 

On May 5th, the preliminary budget was first presented to the board and the public. 

The Preliminary Annual Budget Bylaw for the school year 2026-2027 is approximately $107.76 million, with the district anticipating spending approximately $86 million on operating expenses, $370,000 on tangible capital asset purchases, $13 million on purchases of special-purpose fund assets and $6 million on capital fund expenses. 

The district estimates operating revenues for the school year at approximately $86.6 million, with the Ministry of Education and Childcare funding approximately $83 million.

A total of 96.42 per cent of the district’s operating revenue will come from the ministry, 1.61 per cent from miscellaneous revenue and rentals, 0.68 per cent from childcare-parent payments, 0.83 per cent from international and Alberta tuition, and 0.46 per cent from interest income. 

The district’s $86 million in operating expenses has been divided as follows: $68 million towards instruction, $2 million towards district administration, $10 million towards operations and maintenance, and $4 million towards transportation and housing. 

The district has estimated it will spend 86.18 per cent of its operating expenses on salaries and benefits, totalling $74,975,465. 

The school district anticipates using $759,600 of its accumulated surplus this year.  

Additionally, the special purpose fund for the school years totals approximately $13 million. 

The budget bylaw will be read for the third time at a future board meeting before it is passed. 

To read the complete presentation, see below.