The Richmond Board of Education is considering adding $1.5 million to its budget for enhanced cleaning in school next year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased demands for sanitization.
School is expected to be back in session full-time in the fall, but there will still be physical distancing and other precautions in place to prevent outbreaks of COVID-19, as per orders from the provincial health officer.
The school board is also considering using $7.7 million from its surplus to balance the 2020/21 budget.
Secretary-treasurer Roy Uyeno explained the $7.7 million shortfall is due to the projected loss of international students, less money from the Ministry of Education because of a funding formula change and impacts on both revenue and costs from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The board of education will deal with the 2020/21 budget on Wednesday and has to approve the use of surplus funds to cover the shortfall.
They will also considering putting aside $2 million from this year’s surplus for future COVID-19-related expenses.
If the budget is approved by the board of education, there will be $6.7 million left in unrestricted savings, down from $14.4 million.
Wednesday's board of education meeting will be accessible to the public via Zoom. Details are at SD38.bc.ca.
