Protesting over proposed cuts to music in Victoria schools is premature, education minister says

The possibility that elementary and middle school musicprograms in Victoria could be axed come September isjust that a possibility, not necessarily an absolute, according to British Columbia's education minister.

School District 61, which encompassesGreater Victoria, is dealing with a $7 million deficitand a draft budgetfor the upcoming academic year includes cuts to elementary- and middle-school musicprograms.

Since the proposed cuts were made public earlier this month, students have taken to the streets in protestand parents and teachers have voiced their concerns.

Speaking on Monday on CBC's On The Island,Education Minister Jennifer Whitesidesaid she understands those concerns, but added that the district's proposed cuts are not set in stone yet.

"It's quite possible that they are going to wind up this year with a surplus budget," said Whiteside. "It's a little soon to be determining or assuming there will actually be cuts."

No decisions have been made

Whiteside said she told the boardlast week that the ministrywould like towork with the district to see how things are looking in September, and how the province can help the board best navigate the budget.

"They are in a process, they are consulting with their constituents, they haven't, as I understand it, made any final decisions and we are going to do what we can to support them," said the minister.

SD61board chair Jordan Watterstold CBCon April 12 that she was proud of students for taking a stance, but nothing was certain yet.

"We're always listening. I'm getting a tidal wave of emails coming in. And we are in the middle of the process here. To be clear, no decisions have been made," Watters said.

The district's deficit, she said, is partly due to the pandemic's impacton international student program revenues and partly because the district operatedon structural deficits in the past.

Other proposed cuts to the budgetincludeclerical staff to district principals. alongside shifts in funding around educational assistantsand gifted educational programming.

Normally, the budget process would be coming to an end in April, but it has been extended this year to May 30 to allow for feedback and discussion.