Victoria — Funds for hungry school kids, classroom computers and schoolyard jungle gyms are being cut this year in B.C., even as the province's education minister maintained yesterday the province's public school system is “well-funded.”

Parent advisory councils were notified yesterday that their gaming grants will be halved this year – money that goes to enrichment programs like libraries, play equipment and sports uniforms.

Later in the day, gaming officials quietly unveiled cuts to a program that provides counselling and school meals to the province's most vulnerable students. The CommunityLINK fund will receive $48.6-million this year, down from $50.5-million last year.

It's the latest in a round of aggressive cost-containment measures that has school officials wondering what will come next in what they are calling a funding crisis.

Already the province has cancelled maintenance grants to schools that totalled $110-million last year. Boards have been told to rely on an estimated $98-million in reserves – money that had been put aside for larger projects. The boards contend that money is already earmarked or spent, leaving needed projects in jeopardy.

Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid said school maintenance and extracurricular activities had to be cut to protect core funding in the classroom, which has climbed on a per-pupil basis.

“There are some things we have funded in the past that we won't be able to fund the same way this year for certain and possibly next year,” she said in an interview yesterday. She pointed to the CommunityLINK program as one that she fought to protect because it provides nutritious meals and support to at-risk youth.

“We chose that one over some others,” she said, without noting that the funding has been reduced. “We are doing the best we can and keeping our priorities straight.”

But Ann Whiteaker, president of the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils, said the cuts in gaming grants will undermine education.

Last year, PACs received $16-million in gaming money. Most of that was provided on a formula of $20 per student, which has now been reduced to $10 per student.

“The impact will be felt by students,” Ms. Whiteaker said. She noted the money originally provided for extracurricular programs now pays for everyday essentials like computer labs.

At Sir James Douglas Elementary in Victoria, where she was active in fundraising, the PAC paid for the school's playground equipment and library books.

“These dollars go to enrich their learning experience,” she said.

“It's about the stuff that engages the children – we're going to see them without play equipment, field trips, we're going to see sports teams without uniforms, there will be no new funding for libraries.”

Meanwhile, the chair of the Vancouver School Board yesterday disputed the government's claims that they are sitting on a pot of money to make needed repairs.

“We are in a funding crisis,” said Patti Bacchus.

“Costs beyond the school district's control are going up more than the funding we are getting from the provincial government. This is a very difficult time for us, and we are going to have to make some very difficult decisions.”

She said there is no reserve fund available for maintenance – they've already spent the money they expected to come from the province this year.

At Victoria High School, the annual maintenance grants have been used to install an elevator to make the school more accessible and to build a salon for a popular hairdressing course.

NDP Leader Carole James yesterday toured the school to bring attention to the potential impact of the cuts. Standing in the boiler room, she pointed to the aging heating system as an example of delayed upgrades.

“When you look after your own house, if you don't fix the leaking roof, the entire roof is going to have to be fixed,” she said. “It's actually going to cost you more in the end.”

Greater Victoria school trustee Michael McEvoy said the government's claim that the school boards can use their reserves is wrong.

“The money is committed for really important projects that make our schools safe and healthy for our kids. Anything you hear about surpluses is illusory,” he said.

Ms. MacDiarmid said this is an “unusual year” and suggested money will be found if emergency repairs are needed. “The ministry is not suggesting that maintenance never be done again,” she said. “If student safety could be in jeopardy, clearly we will work with the school districts.”

With a report from Rod Mickleburgh in Vancouver