April 13 - SD61 faces the music in balancing school district budget

Good morning !

Boy, that baby killer whale is still trapped in that lagoon up in Zeballos. The bad news is Brave Little Hunter evaded rescuers who yesterday tried to coax her into the shallow end. She wasn’t having any of it, leaving the humans "truly humbled” by the orphaned transient orca’s intelligence and resilience.

The good news is experts say she’s in pretty good shape and is breathing and swimming well.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

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NEWS

Greater Victoria’s school district approves $318M budget with $6M in cuts

SD61 board members approved a $318M budget for 2024-2025 Thu. night, with cuts that could lead to layoffs and changes to music programming. Initially, the board faced a $6M deficit, but the cuts and a projected surplus of nearly $2M helped to balance the budget.

The board pulled the plug on the longstanding elementary school strings program in more than 10 schools and replaced it with a new “hub” style strategy. The low note is that students will have to travel to one of the 14 schools still offering it to participate.

Music decision struck sour note with trustee

Emily Mahbobi said she joined the board to fight for music programming. “Having to make any budget cuts around music—at this point, it doesn’t feel like cuts,” she said, “it feels like we’re being robbed of these programs.”

“It really breaks my heart to have to approve a budget with these cuts.”

The board also slashed funding for the full-time equivalent of 1.6 learning support teachers and 0.4 counsellors—something that could lead to layoffs—and approved a hiring freeze for non-school-based staff next year.

Budget issues have come up for several years 

“This is by no means the first year we have been dealing with shortfalls and unfortunately, we know it won’t be the last,” said Nicole Duncan, SD61 board chair. “We have to balance the budget, we don’t have a choice.”

Trustee Derek Gagnon, who voted against the budget, called the provincial funding model “woefully inadequate,” forcing cuts that he said affect student services.  

Last year the district evaded music cuts by covering a $3.8M shortfall with cuts across all areas. The year prior (2022), the elementary strings program was one of the casualties of budget cuts (keeping school counselling staff was prioritized over music) but was saved through donations.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Get Growing, Victoria! The seedling and soil-building materials distribution program begins May 15. 

This man is wanted by police. [VicPD]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Island FanCon expected to draw big crowds to Westshore

Some 3,000 comic, cosplaying, collecting, and costume fans are expected to descend on Langford today and tomorrow to take in the inaugural Island FanCon. Billed as a celebration of pop culture, the all-ages event is modelled after the organizers’ similar funfest in Prince George, Northern FanCon. Attendees will be able to take part in panel discussions, interactive activities, and celebrity meet-and-greets.

Dave Foley of Kids in the Hall fame headlines a list of celebs that includes Emily Swallow, who played The Armorer in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Tickets for Island FanCon also will get you the opportunity to meet a Mountain of a man, actor Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, who played that massive character on Game of Thrones, as well as actor Jon Cor from The Flash, and UFC star Forrest Griffin. 

Read more here in The Westshore.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

📋 Vital Signs Survey 2024: Making Greater Victoria better for our grandkids. [Voting Open]

🍽️ Refire Kitchen opening in Sidney: The third location of the prepped meal kit shop will take over the Beacon Books location.

🎺 Heather Ferguson and Attila Fias tonight at Rebel Garage! 7pm. Great jazz, original songs, and their own wit and charm. Get tickets now!*

🤝 Now hiring: Program Coordinator at Scale Collaborative

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Orphaned orca calf not falling for any stupid human tricks
The baby whale has been trapped in an up-Island lagoon for three weeks now after her mother drowned while trying to teach her to hunt near Zeballos (some 450km north of Victoria). Rescuers tried to corral her using boats, divers, and a net, but Brave Little Hunter was too clever. [Black Press]

Westshore RCMP fraud warning: Some tickets not Taylored for sale 
Police say they’ve received several complaints about bogus Taylor Swift tickets being hustled on Facebook Marketplace and in community groups. Complainants say they sent money to the supposed seller who sent nothing back, setting up a Cruel Summer for some Swifties who must Shake it Off and hope for better Karma. [RCMP]

Pickleball tournament at UVic a first: It’s for women only
Today’s Berwick UVic Women’s Pickleball Tournament has drawn 125 entries. That’s significant because according to the results of a Victoria Regional Pickleball Association (VRPA) survey, many female members said they avoided tournaments because they felt intimidated by men who traditionally make up roughly 70% of the field. [VRPA]

TASTING VICTORIA AWARDS

Have you checked out the finalists?

From the best seafood to the best happy hour, sushi spot, and so much more. Check out all the finalists in the Tasting Victoria Awards and vote for your top choices before voting closes this month!

🗓️ Things to do

💲Kidovate Market: More than 200 young entrepreneurs display and sell goods they have made or repurposed as part of a UVic-Gustavson School of Business entrepreneur program. Bay Centre. Today. 10am-4pm. [Info]

🎤 Lime Cordiale: The Australian pop duo will perform at Capital Ballroom. Tonight. Doors 8pm. Show 9pm. [Info]

👠 Bianca Del Rio: The winner of Rupaul’s Drag Race will perform her Dead Inside comedy tour at The Royal Theatre. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

✏️ Brooklyn Nine-Nine Trivia Night: Test your knowledge on the hit comedy police show at The Mint. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🍽️ Chef’s Challenge Supporting Food Rescue: Four chefs from Block Kitchen and Bar, Lure Restaurant and Bar, Aura Waterfront Restaurant + Patio, and Ferris’ Oyster Bar and Grill will compete in support of The Mustard Seed. Today. 5:30pm. [Info]

🎩 Sin City Illusions: Be wowed by this magic show featuring two of Canada’s top magicians, Jason Verners and Chris Yuill. McPherson Playhouse. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

👾 Island FanCon: Celebrity guests, cosplay, and workshops are among the things you can expect. City Centre Park. Today. 11am-6pm. Tomorrow. 11am-5pm. [Info]

🩰 Springtime in Paris: Ballet Étoile Canada presents Gaité Parisienne and other works. Mary Winspear Centre. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]  

🎙️ Doris and Judy Together: Diane Pancel and Kim Greenwood will perform a tribute to Doris Day and Judy Garland and Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 5:30pm. Show 7pm. [Info]

⚽️ The return of Pacific FC: The local soccer squad begins a new season today in Langford. 4pm vs. Halifax. [Tickets]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: New temple to be built in Vic; Bookkeeper accused of bilking non-profit of $1.7M; Province beefs up primary care finder; And more. [April 12]

Saving ‘Pirate Ryan’ on Gonzalez Beach: [Capital Daily]

A&W first walk-up window now open in the old Birks Jewelry location on Government and Fort.  

UVic REACH Awards: Researchers, teachers, and students recognized for their positive impact on the university.

Neighbourly Wine Co.: The new wine company’s tasting room opens in Saanichton.

That’s it!

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