School board receives additional funding from government for improvements
by Marina Osmond
Students in the Hastings and Prince Edward area received new textbooks, computers and equipment from an additional $1.8 million given from the provincial government to the local school board.
Approximately $300,000 went to infrastructure for technology in schools and another $200,000 to $300,000 was used for deficits.
"Almost all of our money comes from the province and is determined by the province, there still are taxes for the education but the province determines how much the taxes are and how much we get," said Dave Rutherford, superintendent of financial and facility services.
"The board recommended that half of the funds be used to wipe out the remaining shortfall for the remaining '07 year," he said.
Approximately $600,341 of the $1.8 million will be used to offset higher fuel, utility and snow plowing costs and possible higher teacher and retirement costs.
The key changes in expenditures are a staffing adjustment. Higher elementary and secondary enrolment resulted in hiring extra teaching staff and a summer funding enhancement to provide extra textbooks, learning materials and equipment. There was an average of 60 more elementary students and 100 more secondary students this year enrolled in schools across the Hastings and Prince Edward area.
One of the largest expenditures is the contingency fund. As oil prices remain high the board feels it is wise to set money aside for school bus transportation since it is unknown when the government can afford additional funding. Sick leave, retirement costs, snow plowing, new heating and ventilating systems, windows, lighting and roofs are all large things that have been pushed aside for a while and will now get the attention they rightfully deserve. The majority of the work will be done during the summer so schools will not have to shut down during the academic year. |
