The Abbotsford board of education has approved a balanced school district budget of about $181 million for 2012-13.
Secretary-treasurer Ray Velestuk described the budget as “generally status quo” with few new initiatives or cuts.
“We’re in a pretty enviable position ... if we look at other districts. They would love to jump into our shoes from a financial perspective,” he said.
Velestuk said among the funding pressures faced by the district in the 2012-13 budget are teacher salary increments of $1.2 million, a possible BC Hydro increase of $60,000 and estimated fuel costs of $75,000.
The largest portion of budget expenditures, at 70 per cent, is allocated to salaries, while 17 per cent goes to benefits.
The largest chunk of revenue, 96.2 per cent, comes from provincial grants. Increases in the 2012-13 budget were recorded in operating grants for vulnerable students, the BC Education Plan and the Learning Improvement Fund.