Vancouver School Board saves music program

The Vancouver School Board has passed its budget for the next school year by dipping into capital reserves to offset an $11-million shortfall and save its popular elementary school music programs.

While the budget is balanced for another year, Trustee Ken Denike says it's just a band-aid solution, and he worries the next round of fiscal planning will be even tougher.

"It's not a long-term solution; in fact it's one that builds the problem for next year into something that's becoming monumental... We'll get through this year, but next year it's sort of a Hail Mary pass," he said.

Denike says if there is a silver lining, it's that the board managed to keep alive the music program and an athletics coordinator position.