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$1.1 BILLION BUDGET APPROVED FOR 2017-2018
Wed, 21 Jun, 2017
Trustees approved a balanced $1.1-billion budget for the 2017-2018 school year at Tuesday's public meeting. Student enrolment this fall is expected to be slightly higher than originally projected at 99,080 students. Compared to 2016-2017, the District projects an extra 2,011 students in elementary, 459 students in junior high and 246 in senior high. The majority of this growth is in Grades 4–6, with an additional 1,188 students. The approved budget will ensure these students receive a high quality education and access to modern learning spaces across the city.
Budget highlights include:
- ensuring our First Nations students have access to more programs and services that support and embrace their culture
- providing extra support and teaching time for our English as a Second Language students
- creating 68.5 full-time equivalent teaching positions in our schools
- investing $12.3 million to maintain the District’s aging buildings and infrastructure
Board Chair Michelle Draper said the fiscally responsible budget “dedicates resources and supports to all our students to help them achieve success. The province’s commitment to fund enrolment growth was key in balancing our budget, considering our student growth isn’t slowing down.”
IN OTHER NEWS
The District honoured three graduating students with the Michael Strembitsky Award of Excellence. The awards recognize students who exemplify personal, social and academic excellence, possess leadership skills, want to seek meaningful change and have courage, initiative and confidence.
The Cree choir from Prince Charles School opened the Board meeting by singing the national anthem in Cree and reciting a prayer in Cree to mark National Aboriginal Day this week.
