SURREY Schools approved a balanced 2026–27 budget at its May 13 Board of Education meeting, marking a significant milestone for the district as it turns the corner on its structural deficit while making targeted investments to support students and families.

“This budget reflects a commitment to ongoing fiscal sustainability and a strong focus on student success,” said Trustee Terry Allen, Board of Education. “With the structural deficit behind us, we are now in a position to invest in classrooms, strengthen student well-being, and expand supports for families.”

A key priority of the 2026–27 budget is strengthening support for students with disabilities or diverse abilities. The district will hire 40 additional Inclusive Educational Support Workers (IESWs) to work alongside students in classrooms across Surrey.

At the same time, Surrey Schools is expanding its innovative HOPE program to Johnston Heights, North Surrey, École Salish, and Princess Margaret secondary schools, bringing the total to 14 (out of 21 secondary schools). The program is designed to support students who find success outside traditional secondary classroom environments. HOPE programs provide wrap-around services, including social-emotional, mental health and trauma-related supports.

Families across Surrey will see a significant expansion of programs that support students’ well-being and daily needs.

• Childcare:Since 2022, the district has nearly tripled access to before- and after-school childcare, growing from 37 sites to 95 elementary schools, representing the vast majority of schools across Surrey.

• Meal programs: School meal programs have also expanded rapidly. In less than two years, lunch programs have grown from 57 schools to 85 elementary schools and 35 secondary schools and alternative secondary programs. 

• Universal lunch programs: Universal lunch programs ensure nutritious food for all students.  The district has expanded Universal programs from just 3 sites at the start of the school year to 61 of the operating 85 lunch programs and a goal to make all lunch programs universal.

• Inclusive Education Programs: The Board’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging in 2026–27 will continue with two new elementary-level pilot programs. These programs are designed to enhance outcomes for Indigenous learners with Ministry designations and foster a stronger sense of belonging for Children and Youth in Care. The goal is to reduce referrals of Indigenous learners to social development and alternative education programs. In a broader sense they will provide targeted, trauma-informed supports for all learners within neighbourhood schools, providing access to culturally rooted community supports designed to improve learning experiences.

The Board emphasized that investments in IESWs and HOPE programs are possible due to the school district’s improved financial position.

“Over the past several years, the Board has made challenging decisions to adjust or discontinue programs that were not financially sustainable,” said Allen. “These decisions allowed us to bring Surrey Schools into closer alignment with other Metro Vancouver districts.”

Surrey Schools’ financial stability is expected to support continued investment in priority areas, even as the district navigates declining revenue from ongoing enrolment pressures and unexpected challenges.