Monday, November 26 ~ WEST SHORE.
As first published on page 5 in the November 23, 2018 print-PDF issue of West Shore Voice News
A fee instrument called the School Site Acquisition Charge (SSAC) is available to school districts in BC.
The fees received by school districts through SSAC’s are directed into capital funding reserves. The funds are used to build new schools and do major facility improvements.
The fees are levied by way of Development Cost Charges (DCCs) that are levied from developers when they build new housing developments.
This cost ultimately gets passed along to property purchasers but at least in part is considered one way for residents to contribute to the cost of education facilities in their area.
Earlier this year there was a heated debate at the Sooke School District 62 (SD62) board over whether to waive SSAC funds for (i.e. contribute to) an affordable housing development in Sooke (the Knox Church housing development was targeted first at seniors, then shifted its goals to also accommodate families and they came cap in hand). SSAC funds are capital intended for school facility development; nevertheless, Knox got the waiver.
School districts must collaborate with local government throughout the process of establishing the SSAC. Local municipalities (in this case primarily Langford, Colwood and Sooke) must estimate the number of future ‘eligible development units’ (how many homes will be built).
SD62 administration has been actively engaged with Langford in particular regarding housing development in the last few years; that has fairly accurately informed SD62 as to the number of new students expected in the growing school distrct for the last couple of years by assessing population growth and age profile of communities, including geographic distribution. This helps determine the best locations for new school sites.
Education legislation in BC requires that a resolution setting out the determination of eligible school sites must be approved at a public meeting of the school board. Local governments are to receive notice of these meetings.
Relevant stakeholders are considered to include residents groups from areas where new school sites are contemplated, and affected business groups (e.g. local development industry and real estate associations).
At the upcoming SD62 Board meeting on November 27 (7pm in the Board room at 3143 Jacklin Road) the agenda includes an SSAC review — including staff presentation and discussion by the board — with time for public input.
Public participation on issues related to SSAC can include written comments, forum or meeting, or a stakeholder committee.
New schools (middle, elementary) will be built in Westhills on land already acquired in December 2017. Another new highschool in the west shore will be needed soon, according to the SD62 facilities plan. Expansion at EMCS in Sooke is also in the plan.