A $1.65 million cost reduction in the Vernon School District could mean fewer teaching and staff positions and classroom supplies.

The board is considering such cuts to balance the 2025/2026 budget and have consulted widely on how best to do this with minimal impact on students.

"This represents a 1.4 per cent operating budget reduction," Superintendent Karla Mitchell explains. "Planning to navigate this reality has been difficult - numerous school districts across the province are facing similar budget tensions."

The board heard Mitchell's recommendations April 2 and will make final budget decision on April 16.

The public can provide further feedback, using this form:  before end of day April 9.

Mitchell's recommendations include a reduction in English Learner Language teachers from 10 to eight, with fewer forecast students needing the service.

Itinerant (travelling) teacher reductions will save $572,000.

A $242,000 reduction in service and supply budgets is recommended.

A reduction in staff who are not directly involved in student education will save $130,000 and meanwhile the inclusion team will use that funding to add to education assistant or school based resource team.

The superintendent is also taking $50,000 from administration to inclusion.

Trustee's travel is being reduced, the air conditioning will be turned off while schools are vacant in the summer (outside of team cleaning) and secondary schools are working on a decrease of seven blocks (one full time equivalent).

The summary of recommendations is available at sd22.bc.ca .