The deficit can now safely be eliminated.

Langley School District’s plan to eliminate its $13.5 million debt and deficit shortfall, which was submitted to the provincial government in the spring, has has been approved by education minister Margaret MacDiarmid.

“Langley’s board of education wishes to thank the minister and her staff for understanding the very difficult situation this school district has found itself in,” Langley board chair Joan Bech said in a press elease.

Langley schools will have until June 30, 2015, to get its books in order.

The district already went ahead with the cuts set out in the plan, while it was still awaiting word from the ministry.

According to the plan, the district will cut $3.375 million from its annual budgets, starting in 2011-2012.

The deficit, incurred in the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 operating years, was due to financial errors and inadequate financial controls, which resulted in the board making decisions based on inaccurate revenue and expenditure projections, according to the board’s announcement on the plan approval.

“We have worked very hard to gain approval for this plan,” Bech said. “Now we will have to work just as hard to ensure Langley School District never again finds itself in a similar situation.”