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March 4, 2014 Vol. 29• No. 18 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
The Potters Place in Courtenay is featuring emerging artist Sue Emerson this month. page 7
Brad Gunter of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack is Player of the Year in CIS sports. page 11
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Trustees feeling crunch Renee Andor Record Staff
The Comox Valley Board of Education will send a letter regarding concerns about educational funding to Education Minister Peter Fassbender. After approving the amended 2013/2014 budget last week, trustees had a lengthy discussion about numerous funding concerns, and the board voted to draft a letter to Fassbender. “I think as a Board of Education we need to stand and say the funding formula is not working,” said Rick Grinham, trustee and finance committee chair. “Our savings account is depleting, and by next year it’ll be zero if we don’t get some kind of support.” When the board approved the 2013/2014 budget last May, $619,000 was drawn from the district operating reserve to balance it. But the amended 2013/2014
budget, which totalled just under $84 million, saw that draw on the reserve end up being $1.3 million instead. This increased need for reserve funds was due to increased cost pressures and lower revenues than expected, according to district secretary treasurer Russell Horswill. The operating reserve now sits at just over $1.1 million, down from the $2.7 million it sat at last year. Although $276,000 was moved out of the operating reserve for a future technology refresh project, the bulk of the depletion was necessary to balance the budget. Trustees noted the Comox Valley School District is in a better financial situation than some other districts in the province due to careful financial management. Trustee Janice Caton recounted her recent attendance at the BC School Trustees Association
(BCSTA) meeting at which Fassbender spoke. “Provincially, we’ve been told there is no money and schools will have to make do with less,” Caton told the Record. “The minister understands the cost pressures upon school districts, but he basically told us, ‘You will have to do more with less.’ “Because of that philosophy from the government, school districts are having to make some difficult decisions and choices on budget because of all the downloading that they have put upon districts.” Rising MSP rates, the coming increases to BC Hydro rates, and CUPE support staff salary raises are a few examples of rising costs Caton says are not being funded by government. According to Horswill, this year’s MSP rate increase will cost the school district another $40,000 ... see TEACHER ■ 2
not seem to hitting growers in the Comox Valley. “We’re paying attention … it’s not something new,” he explained. “It’s in the early stage at this time and it hasn’t affected growing, but in one or two years from now, it doesn’t rule out the possibility.” CEO Rob Saunders of Qualicum Bay-based Island Scallops said his company was forced to scale operations back considerably and has lost three years worth of scallops due to a dra-
matic increase in carbon dioxide levels in the water of the Strait of Georgia. “(The high acidity level means the scallops) can’t make their shells and they are less robust and they are susceptible to infection,” noted Saunders, who added this level of pH in the water is not something he’s seen in his 35 years of shellfish farming. The pH levels are registering at 7.3, compared to their norm of 8.1 or 8.2. ... see OVERWHELMING ■ 2
Shellfish risk increasing Erin Haluschak Record Staff
Comox Valley shellfish growers say they are monitoring their product closely following recent news of high acid levels in the waters around Qualicum Beach that has killed 10 million scallops. Brian Yip, vice-president of the BC Shellfish Growers’ Association and general manager of Fanny Bay Oysters, said at this time the effects in Qualicum do
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FOR THE KIDS The third annual Spin-a-Thon at the Comox Community Centre was not limited to humans. The 24-hour spin bike fundraiser benefited the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program, which helps financially disadvantaged kids participate in physical recreation. PHOTO BY ERIN HALUSCHAK
Toyota cmyk Come in for your test drive today!