STRONGER than expected year-end results allowed the Surrey Board of Education to add $2.7 million in ongoing funding to the 2026-27 operating budget to support students immediately for the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.
Surrey Schools will add the following new positions for the 2026-27 school year:
* 69 additional IESW positions (40 approved in May’s preliminary budget, plus 29 added in August)
* 2 teacher-advocates to support Indigenous student graduation rates, bringing the total to 8 across the district
* 7 youth and childcare workers to support students with social/emotional needs at secondary schools
“This is not one-time funding,” said of the Board of Education, Gary Tymoschuk, on Thursday. “These are ongoing, direct investments in day-to-day supports for students that can be sustained while we manage the district’s finances responsibly.”
In addition to this classroom investment, Surrey Schools plans to have fully-universal food programs at 91 elementary and secondary schools by end of this school year. The district is expanding support for children and families through the Feeding Futures program, ensuring students have access to nutritious food throughout the school day and beyond.
“The Board of Education’s responsibility is to ensure each one of our kids has the support they need to learn and achieve their goals – and that’s hard to do when you’re hungry,” says Tymoschuk. “With these programs and investments – whether its enhanced learning supports or low-cost and no-cost universal lunch programs – we are committed to the well-being, confidence, and future of all our learners.”
* Lunch programs operate in 128 schools, Surrey Schools provides low-cost meals to all students, with costs fully waived for those experiencing financial need.
* Universal lunch program meals are just $3 for paying families in participating elementary schools.
* Expanding access: 82 of 91 elementary schools with lunch programs are launching as universal lunch programs this September, with the remaining 9 schools running as subsidized only programs – the goal is to reach universal status for 91 schools by December.
* Breakfast programs are offered in 99 schools, providing healthy options such as fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products, eggs and grab-and-go choices.
* School-based snack programs, community fridges, take-home food supports, including frozen meals and weekend hampers, round out the supports to ensure children have consistent access to nutritious food outside of school hours.
Surrey Schools improved financial position allows the Board the confidence to make the ongoing investments for the 2026-27 school year. The district’s audited financial statements will be presented publicly at the September 16 Board meeting.
