Northern Lights School Division held a town hall meeting at BCHS on May 10 to share its budget woes and hear concerns and suggestions of parents.
Walter Hrycauk, board chair, said the meeting addressed the question of where the board can cut back if it needs to.
“The vast majority of the people that were there felt that the programming that students were getting at this point and time was great, and they wanted to see it continue.”
The report to residents summed up that the division is facing $2,780,327 in extra costs this year. The extra costs will exceed the estimated operating surplus by $477,770, making a deficit budget necessary in 2010-11.
Despite heading into a deficit, Hrycauk said the board would not cut teachers or programs in 2010-2011.
“The minister [of education] has made it clear from his perspective that he does not want school boards to cut teachers or programs. We believe we can get through the 2010-2011 school year without having to do anything as drastic as that. Beyond that is another story.”
Secretary-treasurer Beverly Topylki presented the draft budget to 40 people in attendance. The total budget for the 2009-2010 school year was $69,621,329, not including capital projects. The division projects a reduction of its operating surplus from $4,267,621 to just $2,332,557 by the start of the new school year.
Provincial grants will stay the same for the next school year, except for a loss of grants for daily physical activity ($23,310), high school completion ($62, 440), and paving health pathways' third year of funding ($376,946).
Additionally, funding for small class sizes is changing, resulting in a loss of $450,448 for the division. NLSD has a contract with support staff for the same 5.99 per cent increase teachers received, resulting in a $148,794 shortfall. The wage index that drives the contract is set to increase for 2010-2011 at 2.92 per cent for certified salaries and benefits, which the government will not provide, at a cost of $951,662.
