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Teachers lose free parking spots

If all goes according to plan, teachers will pay to park on school lots starting Oct. 1. They’ll pay $15 a month for random and $35 a month for reserved spots, plus tax.

If all goes according to plan, teachers will pay to park on school lots starting Oct. 1.

They’ll pay $15 a month for random and $35 a month for reserved spots, plus tax.

The Vancouver School Board approved a parking implementation plan last September to offset the costs of maintaining district parking lots.

Staff had hoped to institute pay parking last December.

The parking plan was discussed at a VSB committee meeting Wednesday night and former VSB chairperson Patti Bacchus said staff are to respond to questions, mainly from teachers, at a future planning and facilities meeting.

The school board trimmed more than $9 million to balance its 2014-2015 budget and faced a budget shortfall of $8.52 for 2015-2016.

The VSB spends approximately $400,000 each year to maintain its parking lots, according to a September 2014 staff report.

As part of the 2014-2015 budget, the board approved pay parking with the hopes of seeing a net revenue of between $225,000 and $340,000. The lower amount was included in the board’s 2015-2016 base operating budget.

The VSB is to provide three stalls per elementary school and six per secondary school for visitors.

A working group of board management and principals helped develop the parking plan. Teachers were unable to participate due to job action.

Support staff unions were only able to attend initial meetings.

EasyPark, which administrates parking at the school board office, will administer, operate and enforce parking. Staff at the school board office at West Broadway and Granville pay $65 per month.

The board approved increasing its room rental rates, expanding its fee-for-print services and increasing existing parking rates and allowing for more monthly parkers in its 2014-2015 budget for a projected increased revenue of $200,000.

The 2015-2016 provisional budget included selling and leasing back equipment and technology for a projected savings of more than $2.9 million and a decrease in the board’s budget line for the purchase of furniture and equipment below average spending per year, and reducing maintenance by five positions for a projected savings of more than $500,000.

The Courier did not receive a return phone call from Jim Meschino, VSB director of facilities before its print deadline.

@Cheryl_Rossi