The Kootenay Lake School District (SD8) made a presentation to the province’s Select Standing Committee on Finance to let the government know it’s been devastated by the loss of its Annual Facilities Grant.

The Oct. 9 meeting was hosted in Cranbrook.

SD8, with an eye on their budget, attended by video conference.

The 10-member committee heard the presentation, including NDP MLA Michelle Mungall who represents Nelson-Creston and recently became a member of the committee.

“I felt it was quite well received,” said superintendent of schools Pat Dooley. “There were some good questions from the MLAs.”

Dooley said the focus of the presentation was to raise awareness about the cumulative effect of many financial pressures.

Dooley began the presentation talk about the loss of the $1.3 million Annual Facilities Grant. The province justified this cut by saying schools are sitting on large surpluses.

However, Dooley said that isn’t the case for SD8.

“The ministry took a one-size-fits-all approach, instead of looking district to district,” said Dooley.

“We want to inform them about our specific issues and ask them to reconsider their decision.”

SD8 in the second most widely dispersed district, with only the Francophone Authority more spread out.

“When you get your trades crew down to the skeletal level that we have, basically you’ve got an electrician that could be in Creston and expected to get to the Slocan Valley,” said Dooley.

A slower response for repairs needed in schools will undoubtedly affect students in the classroom.

The province did approve SD8’s request to release $560,000 from reserves.

That money was being saved for building new schools.

Dooley said while the province releasing that money was helpful, it’s a short-term solution.

In addition to the struggle from the grant loss, Dooley mentioned the costs associated with carbon tax, HST and increasing medical premiums would further strain the school system.

And the list continues: “We’ve had a number of initiatives added to school districts that are very well intentioned but, again, put pressure on our operating budgets,” said Dooley. She mentioned Strong Start Centres and the Children in Care program as examples.

“From here we just need to wait and see what the province will do,” said Dooley.

“We can’t keep running our schools like this.”