Surrey passes 10-year capital school plan despite hesitations

The Surrey School District’s 10-year capital plan was passed by city council Monday night, despite some questions from council members.

Coun. Linda Annis said she was “reluctant” to accept the school district’s plan, as she doubted the proposal’s enrollment formula.

“Right now, they’re projecting just over 51,000 new housing units in Surrey that will only yield just over 9,700 children” she explained.

“That number doesn’t seem right to me and it seems each and every year that we’re doing these forecastings, we’re off,” she added.

Annis added that the city needs to “get on with” getting schools built, but she will continue to question the formula.

The schools’ capital plan was initially rejected last month due to concerns about funding and its projections.

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke explained she was also hesitant to vote in favour of the motion, but noted “not” supporting the motion will only take the city into the next school year, and there can’t be any further delays.

“I am encouraged though, that the report is solution-oriented,” she said.

Locke noted that she is also encouraged as the motion recommends the district and city write to the Ministry of Education and Child Care expressing their concerns together.