Friday, May 21, 2021
Update on Extended 2021/22 Budget Process
VICTORIA, BC – The Greater Victoria School District Board of Education voted in favour of a motion on May 17 to extend the Budget 2021/22 process until May 31, 2021.
Joan Axford has been engaged as an independent advisor to School District 61. Ms. Axford has been tasked to provide information to the Board, stakeholders and community to improve the understanding of the 2021/22 budget options and financial position of the school district.
Under the British Columbia’s School Act, Boards of Education must submit balanced budgets each year. The Board is committed to putting forward a balanced budget by the mandated deadline of June 30, 2021.
We encourage all members of our learning community to participate in upcoming meetings in advance of the Board’s decision. These meetings provide opportunities for input and to ask questions during this extended budgeting process.
Upcoming Budget Meetings:
Tuesday, May 25 – Special Board Budget Meeting – 7:30 p.m.
Independent advisor’s presentation.
Wednesday, May 26 – Independent Advisor’s Report
Independent advisor’s report will be available at 2 p.m. on the District’s website.
Thursday, May 27 – Public Feedback Meeting: Budget 2021-2022 – 6:30 p.m.
Public feedback relative to the independent advisor’s report. Speaker registration in advance at registertospeak@sd61.bc.ca. The deadline to register is Thursday, May 27 at 12 p.m.
Monday, May 31 – Special Board Budget Meeting – 6:30 p.m.
Debate and adoption of the budget. Trustee debate only. All members of the public can view.
Tuesday, June 1 – Special Board Budget Meeting (if required)
Board meeting, if unable to arrive at a decision on May 31. Trustee debate only. All members of the public can view.
All meetings will be live-streamed. Key meeting information is available on the District’s website in advance of meeting dates. For more information, please visit: www.sd61.bc.ca/board-of-education/meetings-of-the-board/
Background on Independent Advisor
Joan Axford is a Chartered Professional Accountant with 40 years of experience in education finance. In recognition of her contribution to the profession, Ms. Axford is a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada.
Her career experience includes Assistant Secretary-Treasurer in School District No. 62 (Sooke), Director of School Finance and Data Analysis with the Ministry of Education and Secretary-Treasurer in School District No. 63 (Saanich). She is also past President, past Executive Director and lifetime member of the BC Association of School Business Officials (BCASBO).
Associated experience includes 18 years as a Trustee on the Teachers Pension Board, 14 years as a Director on the Board of the BC Investment Management Corporation, is currently a Director on the Board of the BC Lottery Corporation and Chair of its Audit Committee. Ms. Axford was appointed by the Minister of Education to the Implementation Advisory Committee for the funding review. She is currently a member of the Audit Committee with School District No. 62 (Sooke).
Ms. Axford is also an honorary member of the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation in recognition of her work in public education and pensions. She has led financial oversight work with Boards of Education throughout the province.
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For more information contact:
Lisa McPhail
Communications & Community Engagement
Greater Victoria School District
Office: 250.475.4103
