The Greater Victoria school board has approved a $229-million overall budget for 2017-18 that includes a rare surplus.
Board members had been concerned about having a difficult time with the budget, but a lower-than-expected structural or ongoing deficit was more than covered by funds put aside to offset it — leaving a surplus of $1.4 million.
The surplus is not connected to the district’s $155-million facilities-maintenance deficit, which includes child-care programs.
The board has not yet decided on how to allocate the surplus but is considering a number of options, including the following:
• Up to $500,000 to put toward the 2018-19 deficit anticipated to be from $4.1-$4.6 million.
• Up to $400,000 for shop areas, including upgrades to safety and ventilation.
• $400,000 to help teachers with implementing increased use of such devices ad iPads and Chromebooks.
