Finance and Facilities Standing Committee - 9 April 2013

Mark Thompson, Capital Projects Manager provided an update on the Queen Mary and Argyle projects.  At Queen Mary, there were some complications due to problems with concrete, but these have now been resolved.  The structural and seismic restoration work is compete, and new construction has begun.  The heritage windows have been restored and are being re-installed.  The new gym will be larger than a standard elementary gym, but this will likely increase its attractiveness in terms of its rental potential.

With regard to the Argyle Seismic Upgrade, the Seismic Project Identification Report has been submitted to the Ministry.  The estimated cost of the seismic upgrade alone is $30.9 million, while the estimated cost of a full replacement is $44.8 million.  The Ministry has strongly indicated that there will be no funding forthcoming other than for the seismic upgrade.  The options are now to decide whether to submit a Minstry-funded Project Identification Report, or a NVSD-funded Project Identification Report.

Secretary-Treasurer Georgia Allison reviewed the Ministry of Education Preliminary Grant announcement.  Operating grants will be maintained at current levels for the 2013/14 school year.  Ms Allison reviewed the District's 3-year forecast.  It is expected that the surplus remaining at the end of the current school year will be $3.56 million. The surplus remaining at the end of the 2013/14  and 2014/15 school years will be $1.94 million and $.06 million, respectively.  The forecast shows that by the end of the 2015/16 school year, the surplus will be in a negative position of $2.03 million.  Although a concern, this "negative surplus" is far less that the more than $5 million previously expected.

Ms Allison presented a document which listed the programs and services outside of the core K - 12 mandate which currently receive subsidization from NVSD.  These include Summer School, Continuing Education, Band and Strings, North Vancouver Outdoor School and Strong Start.  The District will be examining each of these programs and services to identify areas where efficiencies and savings can be made.