The Vancouver Island North Teachers' Association (VINTA) is speaking out, saying a $1.1 million budget shortfall has put School District 85 (Vancouver Island North) in a difficult position, with trustees considering deep cuts—including the closure of Cheslakees Elementary School in Port McNeill.
According to a news release from VINTA, with there being no surplus funds left to rely on, SD85 is preparing a 2025–2026 budget that could impact a wide range of student supports, including classroom resources, field trips, school supplies, counselling time, and support staff hours. The closure of Cheslakees Elementary, a primary school serving the youngest students in the region, is one of the cost-saving measures the school board has agreed upon.
“The government hasn’t increased funding to match inflation or the growing needs in our schools,” said Shawn Gough, President of VINTA. “Now boards are forced to pass budgets that technically meet government requirements but fail to meet the needs of students and staff.”
Gough added a colleague in Qualicum referred to the situation as “Functional Budget Dystopia,” where the numbers may balance but essential supports fall through the cracks. “Trustees are having to make impossible choices—between infrastructure, school supplies, staffing, and the very existence of a school,” he said.
VINTA noted in the release while provincial officials point to record spending on education, Gough stated this is misleading. “That increase is tied to rising enrollment across the province, not increased support for individual districts. In reality, the share of the provincial budget going to education has declined over the last 25 years.”
VINTA added teachers are calling on the board to speak out and advocate for increased funding.
“We’ve asked trustees to write to the education minister and we’re continuing to push for action through the BC Teachers’ Federation and our MLA,” Gough said. “But so far, government doesn’t seem to be listening.”
The North Island Gazette has reached out SD85 Board Chair Leightan Wishart for comment on the budget shortfall issues.
