Budget news
Preliminary budget proposals were released at a school board committee meeting Tuesday night after the Couriers press deadline. Check the Courier website for updates.
As of Tuesday, the VSB estimated a shortfall of $6.23 million for the 2012/13 year, but that figure doesnt take into account potential changes to the school calendar to shorten the school year as has been done for the past two years to save money, a possible transfer from the local capital reserve or additional provincial money from the Learning Improvement Fund and the Education Plan allocation.
Stakeholder consultation on the budget proposals is scheduled for April 17, and public input is planned for April 19. Revised budget proposals will be released April 24, followed by more consultation April 25. Final deliberations and adoption of the 2012/13 preliminary budget is slated for April 30.
The School Act requires school boards to approve balanced budgets.
Scholarships
Congratulations go to two Vancouver teensLeah Bae, president of the Vancouver District Students Council and one of my school contacts, and Melissa Morrison, also a member of the VDSC.
Bae, a Lord Byng student, and Morrison, an Eric Hamber student, captured major scholarships of up to $70,000 each from the TD Scholarship for Community Leadership Awards Program last week.
Baes name has appeared in Courier stories several times. Last year, we asked the self-described youth activist to submit her choice for the 2011 news story of the yearshe picked the Stanley Cup riot. Bae also helped organize a post-riot youth forum called Lets talk about it to prove young people care about the city, to examine causes of the riot and find ways to make amends and show youth in a better light.
Shes campaigned against bullying, mentored Grade 7 girls through the YMCA and is a violinist. Bae hopes to work in international relations or public policy.
Morrison was recognized for being a founding member of Four Directions, a cross-cultural club for First Nations and non-First Nations students. Shes a member of the Namgis First Nation of Alert Bay on Vancouver Island.
The teen was recognized for her work with the Compassionate Leadership Club, which runs annual food drives and raised money to build a well in China. Morrison also completed a documentary on First Nations youth and is an avid athlete.
Twenty students from across Canada were awarded scholarships.
Twitter: @Naoibh
