Prince George, B.C. – Prince George school board trustees are scheduled to give all three readings to the 2017-2018 budget bylaw at their monthly public board meeting tonight.

Over 70 per cent of the $132,590,000 operating budget is made up with school allocation funds. This money is given to individual schools so that principals can make budget decisions at the school level.

Ninety-four per cent of this total is in support of salaries and benefits while only six per cent is for services and supplies.

The next largest chunk – about five per cent – goes towards facility services which are used to support schools from a district level.

The primary objective of this department is to provide maintenance services to schools and leased facilities.

Some other aspects of the budget include: 3.5 per cent for custodial services, another 3.5 per cent for transportation services (bussing) 3.5 per cent for the Aboriginal Education Department, 2.5 per cent for utilities, 2 per cent for student support services, and one per cent for technology.

If trustees don’t give all three readings tonight, a special board meeting will be called for June 13 or final reading will be given at the final public board meeting this school year on June 27.

Under B.C.’s School Act, school boards in the province must adopt their budget bylaws by June 30 of each year for the next fiscal year.