Surrey Council Approves Urgent School Plan for 2026/2027

UPDATE: Surrey Council has just approved the Surrey School District’s urgent capital plan for the 2026/2027 school year during a heated meeting on Monday night. This critical plan aims to address the pressing issue of overcrowded schools as the district anticipates a significant increase in student population over the next decade.

Every year, British Columbia’s school districts are required to submit their capital plans to the Ministry of Education, detailing the estimated number of new school sites and their associated costs. The Surrey School District finalized its proposal at a public meeting on September 17, 2023.

Mayor Brenda Locke expressed the challenges faced by the district: “It’s always a challenge for us to look at these reports because we know our school district is just not funded enough and our schools are grossly overcrowded.” She assured the community, “Of course, we will support the school district moving forward.”

The Surrey School District projects 58,720 new dwellings in Surrey and White Rock within the next ten years, leading to an estimated increase of 10,998 school-aged children. This influx necessitates urgent action, including the acquisition of 24 new school sites, comprising 22 new schools, one replacement site, and one school site expansion—all expected to cost around $931,635,000.

Ron Gill, Surrey’s General Manager of Planning and Development, emphasized the importance of moving forward with the plan. He warned that failing to respond within 60 days would automatically approve the district’s requirements under current legislation. “If the City fails to respond within 60 days… it is deemed to have agreed to the proposed eligible school sites,” Gill noted.

However, concerns were raised during the council meeting. Councillor Pardeep Kooner questioned the projections, stating, “One-third of our population is under the age of 18, and when I’m looking at the numbers that the school district is predicting, it’s hard to plan when we don’t have the accurate information.”

Councillor Mike Bose echoed these concerns, highlighting a disconnect in the projected figures. “With 58,000 homes projected and only 11,000 students, it seems a little out of whack,” he said. “Whether the numbers are right or wrong, the provincial government has not fully funded the educational system in Surrey.”

The urgency surrounding this approval cannot be overstated, as the community grapples with the implications of rapid growth without adequate educational infrastructure. The council’s decision to endorse the plan is crucial for ensuring that future generations receive the education they deserve.

As the situation develops, residents are urged to stay informed about the progress of this plan and the ongoing discussions regarding educational funding in Surrey. The immediate need for action is clear, and the council’s approval is just the first step in addressing the growing challenges within the district.