VICTORIA — Education Minister Peter Fassbender says budget disputes between the Vancouver School Board and his ministry must end.
Fassbender says a special adviser he appointed last week will still conduct an audit of the board's finances despite the board's own review of its finances.
The minister says he wants a broad look at the board's operations to determine why it consistently forecasts a deficit budget but ends the year with a surplus, which last June had added up to $28 million.
Fassbender says he's using powers under the School Act to direct the board to work with a special adviser to find budget savings before June 15.
The minister says his decision to appoint Kevin Brennan is not punitive but the Vancouver board appears unable or willing to balance its books.
A statement issued by the Education Ministry says the Vancouver school board's surplus has been growing by about $5 million a year.
