Kelowna

It will be no ordinary meeting when School District 23's Finance and Legal Committee gets together Wednesday night.

For the third consecutive year, the committee is being forced to make recommendations on how to slash a sizable chunk from the district's operating budget.

Board chair Rolli Cacchioni, says the Finance and Legal Committee will review recommendations made by Superintendent Hugh Gloster, look at ways to increase revenues and places to cut funding and pass those on to the full board for consideration next Wednesday.

"I don't know where the committee will go, but I do know we will not be able to deliver the programs the way they have been delivered in the past," says Cacchioni.

The district has been forced to trim $4.7 million from last year's budget in order to produce a balanced budget for the 2010-2011 school year.

This is on top of cuts of $4.4 million in 2009 and $3 million in 2008.

"There is not much wiggle room," adds Cacchioni.

"After three years, there are no more areas to cut. Class sizes have to stay the same and we can't cut back on hygiene and cleanliness."

Last year, the board eliminated free busing, adding a $20 per month charge for students who wished to take the bus.

Cacchioni says that fee will have to remain, although he does not believe the board has the appetite to raise it.

"That fee is bringing in about $700,000. Without it, we would be looking at cutting $5.4 million from the budget."

The Finance and Legal Committee will look at revenue opportunities as well as areas to cut, although Cacchioni admits revenue streams such as increased school rentals, renting buses during the summer and increasing international education are not very lucrative.

Wednesday's meeting begins at 6:30 and is open to the general public.

Cacchioni says members of the public will have an opportunity to address the committee.

Final budget deliberations will take place next Wednesday, April 28.