Vancouver Greens on school funding, budgets, school staff and school fees
The Green Party of Vancouver says its trustees would press the Province for stable, multi-year school funding that reflects inflation, publish the gap between funding and the cost of current services, review school board management salaries, put classroom staff first in budgets, and review fees that keep students out.
SCHOOL BOARD · PAGES 53 TO 56
Fully Funded Public Education: what the Platform 2026 says
The Green Party of Vancouver opens its school board platform with money. The party says Vancouver schools cannot keep being asked to provide more services with less money, and that trustees should spend what they have with care while making the effects of provincial underfunding clear to the public. Its first commitments ask the Province for a stable, multi-year funding model that keeps pace with inflation and with the real cost of running schools in Vancouver. The Greens would also publish estimates of the gap between provincial funding and the cost of keeping existing services.
Inside the district, the party promises closer control of spending. It would keep independent audits, publish budgets in plain language, explain each program cut or expansion, and track whether large spending decisions produce the results trustees were promised. It also commits to a review of middle and upper management salaries at the school board, better forecasts for enrolment and staffing, and protection of targeted funding so the money reaches the students it was meant for. The platform says the board would avoid short-term savings that create larger costs in later years.
The last two parts deal with staff and with costs to families. The Greens would put teachers, educational assistants, counsellors and other staff who work with students first in budget decisions, plan staffing several years ahead, and keep a full on-call list so every classroom absence is covered. They would also review school fees and other costs that stop students from taking part, and look at equipment-lending programs and bursaries. The Board of Education approves the district budget, but the Province sets the funding formula and teacher pay, so many of these goals depend on provincial decisions.
35 COMMITMENTS
What the party says it would do
Advocate for a stable, multi-year funding model
The Greens would work with other school districts, education partners, unions, parents and community organizations to ask the Province for a stable, multi-year funding model. The party says the model should reflect inflation and the real cost of delivering public education in Vancouver.
- Who has the power
- Province School funding is set by the Province, so the board can only ask for it.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 53
Publish the gap between funding and costs
The party would publish clear estimates of the difference between the funding the Province provides and the cost of keeping existing services.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board controls its own budget reports, so it can publish these estimates itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 53
Seek stronger targeted funding
The Greens would ask for stronger targeted funding for inclusive education, student mental health, food programs and other areas where, the party says, student needs are increasing.
- Who has the power
- Province Targeted school funding comes from the Province, so the board can only ask for it.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 53
Show the impact of shortfalls during budget consultations
The party would make the impact of funding shortfalls clear to educators, parents and the public during budget consultations.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs its own budget consultations, so it decides what they show.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 53
Request predictable capital funding
The Greens would ask the Province for predictable capital funding, the money for building work, so school upgrades and renewals can be planned over the long term instead of one project at a time.
- Who has the power
- Province The platform asks the Province for this money, so the board can only request it.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 53
Seek other sources of capital and operating money
Given limited provincial funding, the party would look for grants, partnerships, donations, use of district property (the PDF says 'activating capital assets') and other extra funding. It says it would do so only where these strengthen public education without compromising universal access or public accountability.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board can apply for grants and make partnerships itself, within the powers the School Act gives it.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 53
Advocate on Ministry Area Standards
The Greens would keep pressing on Ministry Area Standards so that new schools are funded for enough space to give an excellent learning environment. The party also wants new schools designed to be climate-resilient as the climate crisis worsens.
- Who has the power
- Province The standards belong to the provincial Ministry, so the board can only ask for changes.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 54
Increase funding for students with diverse learning needs
The party would ask for more funding for students with diverse learning needs. It calls the current Ministry allocation, which the VSB tops up, inadequate.
- Who has the power
- Province School funding is set by the Province, so the board can only ask for it.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 54
Fund Living Wage commitments
The Greens would seek a provincial commitment to fund Living Wage commitments for all BC school district employees and contracts.
- Who has the power
- Province The platform asks the Province to pay for this, so the board can only ask.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 54
Keep strong financial oversight and independent audits
The party would maintain strong financial oversight and independent auditing of the district's finances.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board oversees its own finances, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 54
Make audited financial information easier to understand
The Greens would present audited financial information in a way the public can understand more easily.
- Who has the power
- School Board The Board of Education approves the district budget, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 54
Track major initiatives and plan for school property
The party would track major initiatives against clear objectives and strengthen long-term planning for the district's buildings and other property (the PDF calls this asset-management planning).
- Who has the power
- School Board The Board of Education approves the district budget, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 54
Use evidence to review programs
The Greens would use evidence to identify programs that should be expanded, improved or reconsidered.
- Who has the power
- School Board The Board of Education approves the district budget, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 54
Protect public school property
The party would protect public school property for long-term educational and community benefit.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board holds its own school sites and decides how they are used.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 54
Report results after announcements
The Greens would improve reporting on implementation so that announcements are followed by measurable results.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board sets its own meeting rules, consultation and reporting, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 54
Review Board policies regularly
The party would regularly review Board policies for relevance, effectiveness and accessibility.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 54
Put student learning first and protect targeted funding
The Greens would put student learning and the supports that reach students directly (the PDF says 'frontline supports') at the centre of budget decisions. They would protect targeted funding for the students and services it is meant to support.
- Who has the power
- School Board The Board of Education approves the district budget, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 55
Publish budgets in plain language
The party would publish budgets in clear, accessible language so families can see where education dollars go. It would give clear explanations when programs are expanded, reduced or changed.
- Who has the power
- School Board The Board of Education approves the district budget, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 55
Review management salaries and improve forecasting
The Greens would conduct a review of middle and upper management salaries at the school board. They would also improve long-term forecasts for enrolment, staffing, facilities and other major cost pressures.
- Who has the power
- School Board The Board of Education approves the district budget, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 55
Track the results of major spending
The party would track whether major spending decisions produce the outcomes trustees were told to expect.
- Who has the power
- School Board The Board of Education approves the district budget, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 55
Avoid short-term financial decisions
The Greens would avoid short-term financial decisions that create larger costs or service gaps in future years.
- Who has the power
- School Board The Board of Education approves the district budget, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 55
Prioritize staff who work with students
The party would put teachers, educational assistants, counsellors, support workers and other staff who work directly with students first when making budget decisions.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board decides how its budget is split between jobs, while the Province sets teacher pay.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 55
Seek funding for adequate staffing
The Greens would ask the Province for funding that reflects the actual cost of adequate staffing.
- Who has the power
- Province School funding is set by the Province, so the board can only ask for it.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 55
Develop multi-year staffing plans
The party would develop multi-year staffing plans to prepare for enrolment changes, retirements and hard-to-fill positions.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board plans its own staffing, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 55
Strengthen recruitment partnerships
The Greens would strengthen hiring partnerships with universities, colleges and training institutions.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board can make its own partnerships with schools that train staff.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 55
Offer professional development and career paths
The party would give educators a range of professional development, mentorship and career paths that help keep experienced staff and attract new staff.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs its own staff training and mentoring, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 55
Keep a full on-call list
The Greens would keep a strong on-call list of teachers and support staff so that every classroom absence is fully covered.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board manages its own on-call lists, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 56
Work regularly with employee groups
The party would work regularly with employee groups to find hiring, retention, workload and workplace-safety problems before they become crises.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board can set up its own regular meetings with employee groups.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 56
Expand practicum and student-teacher partnerships
The Greens would look at more practicum placements, where student teachers train in schools, and other student-teacher partnerships that help build the next generation of educators.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board decides whether its schools host student teachers.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 56
Review school fees and costs
The party would review school-related fees and costs to find barriers that stop students from taking full part in school.
- Who has the power
- School Board School fees are set within the district, so the board can review them itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 56
Strengthen financial-hardship policies
The Greens would make financial-hardship policies better known and easier to use.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 56
Keep required learning materials free
The party would protect access to required learning materials without extra cost to families.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 56
Explore equipment-lending programs
The Greens would explore wider programs that lend students the equipment they need to take part in school activities.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 56
Support bursaries
The party would support bursaries and other financial help for students.
- Who has the power
- School Board The Board of Education approves the district budget, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 56
Open activities to every household income
The Greens would work to make curricular, arts, trades and enrichment activities open to students whatever their household income.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 56
WHO WOULD HAVE TO ACT
Where the power sits for this chapter
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Questions about fully funded public education
What does the Green Party of Vancouver propose for school funding in Vancouver?
The Green Party of Vancouver says its trustees would join other school districts, unions, parents and community groups to ask the Province for a stable, multi-year funding model that reflects inflation and the real cost of education in Vancouver. The party would also publish estimates of the gap between provincial funding and the cost of keeping existing services (platform, page 53).
Can the Vancouver School Board raise its own money if the Greens win?
School funding is set by the Province, so the board can mainly ask for more. The Green Party of Vancouver says it would also seek grants, partnerships, donations, use of district property and other extra funding, where this does not compromise universal access or public accountability (platform, page 53).
Would the Vancouver Greens cut school board management salaries?
The Green Party of Vancouver commits to a review of middle and upper management salaries at the school board. The platform names the review as the step and gives no target figure. The same section promises budgets in clear language, with explanations when programs are expanded, reduced or changed (platform, page 55).
What would the Green Party of Vancouver do about teacher shortages and on-call teachers?
The Greens would build multi-year staffing plans for enrolment changes, retirements and hard-to-fill jobs, and strengthen hiring partnerships with universities, colleges and training schools. They would also keep a full on-call list of teachers and support staff so that every classroom absence is covered (platform, pages 55 and 56).
Do the Vancouver Greens want to reduce school fees?
The Green Party of Vancouver would review school-related fees and costs that prevent students from taking full part in school, and keep required learning materials free of extra cost to families. It would also explore equipment-lending programs and support bursaries, so arts, trades and enrichment activities are open to students whatever their household income (platform, page 56).
What do the Greens say about funding for students with diverse learning needs in Vancouver?
The Green Party of Vancouver calls the current Ministry allocation for students with diverse learning needs inadequate and says the VSB tops it up from its own budget. The party would ask the Province for more funding for these students (platform, page 54).
Who would pay for a living wage for Vancouver school district workers under the Green plan?
The Green Party of Vancouver would ask the Province to commit to funding Living Wage commitments for all BC school district employees and contracts. The Province sets school funding, so the board can only make the request (platform, page 54).
ON THE BALLOT
The Green Party of Vancouver candidates behind this
Sources
Every commitment on this page comes from the party's own material, marked SAYS SO ITSELF. It proves what the party says it would do. Who holds each power is our own addition, from the sources listed after it.
- Platform 2026, Green Party of Vancouver (72-page PDF, last updated September 29, 2026) SAYS SO ITSELFGreen Party of Vancouver · pages 53 to 56 · published · checked