FES
Surrey SchoDistrict Funding Crisis
Surrey School Funding Crisis
Surrey School District is the largest in British Columbia, located in Surrey, BC, Canada. It serves 83,259 students in the 2024-2025 academic year. The district includes 104 elementary schools, 21 secondary schools, and 5 learning centers, with a staff of over 11,000 teachers and employees. Surrey’s Education Budget Shortfall: Reports indicate a $16 million deficit in 2025, leading to potential cuts in school programs and staff layoffs.
Surrey School District has frequently been in the news due to budget cuts, overcrowding, and changes to school operations. Below are the key issues that have been widely reported by the media and have sparked protests. Please see the following slides for more information on each topic:
- Risk of cuts to the Elementary Band Program;
- School closures, including White Rock Learning Center;
- Parents' and students' reactions to Surrey's hybrid classes;
- Surrey School District has the highest number of portable classrooms in British Columbia;
- 'It sucks': Extended school days in Surrey force kids, parents, and teachers to juggle schedules;
- The StrongStart program in Surrey at risk of being cut;
- Surrey School District cuts bus services amid budget constraints.
Years of Struggles: Surrey Schools and the Ongoing Fight for Funding
Surrey Schools Struggle to Fund Safe Playgrounds
June 26, 2025 – Surrey, B.C
Many Surrey schools are struggling to replace outdated and unsafe playgrounds — some projects cost up to $200,000. Parent Advisory Councils (PACs) are doing their best to raise funds, but in many cases, it's not enough.
One example: Hyland Elementary raised $65,000 but could only complete their playground thanks to a surprise $150,000 anonymous donation.
Playgrounds aren’t just for fun — they’re essential spaces where children build confidence, solve problems, and create lifelong memories. Inclusive, safe environments matter.
💡Want to help? You can donate directly to Surrey Schools (a registered charity):
📧 donations@surreyschools.ca
📞 604-595-6074Let’s work together so every child feels included and inspired.
Grade 7 Band Cut Sparks Protest and Petition in Surrey
May 14,2025 – Surrey, B.C
Faced with a $16 million budget shortfall, the Surrey School District voted on May 14, 2025 to move ahead with cutting the Grade 7 band program starting next school year — a decision that triggered strong community backlash.
That same evening, over 50 students, parents, and teachers rallied outside the district office. With instruments and signs in hand, they performed music and spoke at the board meeting, urging trustees to reconsider. A petition to save the program had already gained over 5,300 signatures, underscoring widespread public concern.
Despite these efforts, the board officially approved the budget and the band program cut on May 14.( Source: Peace Arch News / Surrey Now-Leader)
White Rock Learning Centre Closure Confirmed Despite Rally Efforts
JMay 20, 2025 – Surrey, B.C
Facing a $16 million budget shortfall and an expiring lease, the Surrey School District announced the closure of the South Surrey / White Rock Learning Centre at the end of the 2024–25 school year
Despite a public rally, media coverage, and a consultation process, the board made it clear early on that the decision was final, repeatedly using the term “relocation” rather than “closure” — a characterization many students and families rejected
During the consultation (March–May), participants expressed frustration that feedback was solicited after the decision had already been made. Many students stressed that the Learning Centre uniquely supported at-risk youth, and warned that closing it would dismantle critical services
At the May 14 board meeting, feedback was presented, but the board ultimately reaffirmed its plan to close the centre and relocate students to mainstream secondary schools and hub programs
Parents and Students' Reactions to Surrey's Hybrid Classes
In Surrey, high schools are set to introduce hybrid classes, blending in-person and online learning, to address rapid student population growth and space constraints in schools. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, this program will be available for students in Grades 10 to 12 as an optional choice
A petition was started by a parent addressed 'To the Surrey School District: Opposing Permanent Hybrid Learning for High School Students.
Surrey School District has the highest number of portable classrooms in British Columbia
Key Facts
Over 300 portables are currently in use across the district. Portables are meant to be temporary, but due to overcrowding, many schools rely on them permanently. New school construction is slow, meaning the number of portables continues to grow.
Why Are Portables Used?
Surrey’s student population has grown rapidly, surpassing 83,000 students in 2024. Funding for new schools has not kept pace with enrollment increases.Portables help accommodate extra students, especially in high-growth areas.
Challenges & Concerns
Portables are not ideal learning environments, with issues like limited space, temperature control, and lack of permanent facilities.
Some schools have more students in portables than in actual buildings, leading to disruptions and safety concerns.
Parents and teachers have raised concerns, urging the BC government to speed up school construction instead of relying on portables.
A petition was started titled 'Expedite Portable Delivery & Find a Long-Term School Expansion Solution for Surrey Schools.
'It sucks': Extended Surrey school days means kids, parents and teachers forced to juggle schedules
Surrey secondary students and families face a tough year as overcrowding measures take effect.
The plan splits students into two blocks, with some starting earlier and others later, increasing school capacity by 10-15%.
Staggered start times will impact Kwantlen, Grandview, Lord Tweedsmuir, Tamanawis, and Fleetwood Park, where first classes begin at 8 a.m., and Salish Secondary, where classes start at 7:55 a.m. Some students will begin an hour later and finish later.
Some families struggle to adjust, unsure how they will manage.
A petition was started against extended school hours.
The StrongStart program in Surrey at risk of being cut
Initially, the Surrey School District proposed cutting the StrongStart program due to budget constraints. This led to significant community protests and advocacy for the preservation of the program. In response to this pressure, the district identified a viable short-term solution in 2024, allowing the continuation of StrongStart in 23 schools, down from 25. Despite this temporary resolution, the district later announced a $16 million budget shortfall, highlighting ongoing financial challenges and placing the program at continued risk of cuts. A petition was started to 'Prevent the Cancellation of the StrongStart Program in Surrey, BC.
A petition was started to "Prevent the Cancellation of StrongStart Program in Surrey, BC"
Surrey School District Cuts Bus Services Amid Budget Constraints
In Surrey, the school district faced substantial budget constraints that led to significant cuts in school bus services. Initially, these services were limited only to students with the most complex needs, such as those who are blind, deaf, physically dependent, or enrolled in specialized intervention programs. As a result, many students who previously relied on bus transportation were no longer eligible, causing difficulties for families, particularly those with full-time working parents or limited transportation options. The district's decision highlighted ongoing financial challenges and sparked discussions about the necessity of reliable transportation for students' access to education and overall safety.
A petition was started to "Reestablish School Bus Services in Surrey, BC, Canada"
Surrey to Cut Up to 50 Education Assistant Positions Amid Funding Shortfall
April 14,2025 – Surrey, B.C
The Surrey School District will eliminate up to 50 full-time Inclusive Education Support Worker (IESW) positions (also known as education assistants) through attrition — meaning vacancies from retirement or resignation will not be refilled.
The district currently employs around 1,677 IESWs across 126+ schools.
Trustees say this is due to inadequate funding from the B.C. Ministry of Education, despite increasing student enrolment and inflation.
CUPE 728 president Tammy Murphy called the move “devastating,” noting that many students already lack proper support, and this will make things worse.
She said over 1,000 IESW workdays per month are already going unfilled. Murphy criticized the decision to cut frontline staff instead of management or high-salary roles.
Changing Roles of EAs:
The district has reportedly told IESWs they will no longer provide academic support, and will instead focus only on personal care and behavioral support.
Murphy argued that this undermines the fundamental role of education assistants: to help students learn.（Read More)
Surrey Considers Year-Round Schooling to Ease Overcrowding
June 13, 2025
Due to growing student populations and limited school space, the Surrey School District is exploring year-round, tri-semester learning as a long-term solution. This system would divide students into multiple groups (cohorts) with staggered schedules, reducing crowding by up to 30% without building new schools.
Each group would follow a different start and end date, have shorter summer breaks, and more frequent breaks throughout the year. The total number of school days would remain the same.
While the model offers potential benefits like better mental health and more flexible schedules, concerns include challenges for families with children in different cohorts, extracurricular conflicts, and fears that success may delay future school construction.
The district is still in the research phase and plans to share updates in June 2025.（Read More)
Surrey Elementary Schools Facing Paper Shortages Amid Budget Strains
April 9, 2025
At least two Surrey elementary schools—Northridge and Ellendale—are facing paper shortages, with students told to copy from projectors, share worksheets, or use scrap paper for tests.
Parents are raising concerns, attributing the issue to ongoing budget cuts. At Ellendale, one parent even organized a bottle drive to help purchase paper.
While the district says the issue is not widespread and schools manage their own budgets, the local teachers’ union president argues otherwise, calling it a symptom of chronic underfunding that directly impacts teaching and learning.(Read More)
Surrey’s Classroom Crunch: 330 Portables and No Budget to Remove Them
June 5, 2024
A new two-storey modular addition at Walnut Road Elementary has opened, adding 295 seats and replacing 10 portables. But those 10 portables haven’t been removed — they’re still sitting on-site, taking up precious play space.
Why? The province only funds the removal of portables that block new construction. All other portable removals must be paid out of the school district’s operating budget — a cost Surrey simply can’t afford.
The Bigger Picture:
330 portables still in use across Surrey as of 2024 — 36 more than in 2017. No funding to move or remove empty portables. New additions help, but don’t solve long-term space shortages
Provincial officials praise modular classrooms as quick fixes, but Surrey families are still left with overcrowded schools and shrinking outdoor spaces. Without new funding to remove unused portables and build permanent classrooms, Surrey’s school space crisis will only worsen.(Read More)
Walk to Save Surrey Schools
Walk to Save Surrey Schools – April 13 is a public demonstration and a key part of FES’s broader call to action to address the Surrey School District funding crisis.
For years, Surrey’s schools have been underfunded, despite being BC’s largest and fastest-growing school district. Overcrowding, funding shortfalls, and delayed school construction have left thousands of students learning in portable classrooms with limited resources.
The 2025-2026 BC budget fails to close the gap. While the province claims record investments, the reality is a $16 million shortfall in Surrey’s school budget, forcing cuts to teacher hiring, classroom support, and student programs. Parents, educators, and local officials are frustrated with the provincial government’s slow response.
📢 That’s why we’re taking action!
On April 13, we invite students, parents, educators, and concerned citizens to join Walk to Save Surrey Schools—a city-wide march demanding immediate education funding relief.
Education cannot wait. Surrey’s students deserve better.
