VSB special adviser will help school board balance budget: Fassbender

B.C. will appoint an independent special adviser to help the Vancouver School Board balance its budget, Education Minister Peter Fassbender announced Thursday.

The board had written to the ministry in February forecasting a minimum budget shortfall of $15 million for the 2015-16 school year, said a press release issued by the ministry.

"The special adviser will be an auditor leading a team that will look at the school district's budget development and forecastingaccumulated surpluses, capital asset management, opportunities for administrative savings, and board governance," the release states.

"In addition, the special adviser will review past audit, special adviser and management consulting reports provided to the board or the minister over the past five years and any actions taken on past recommendations."

Responding on Twitter, former VSB chair Patti Bacchus said, "We've been there and done this and it was a huge waste of time and money."

Bacchus was ousted as chair in December and replaced by Non-Partisan Association trustee Christopher Richardson, after Vision Vancouver lost control of the board.