The preliminary 2005/06 school district budget has recently been completed. It shows a total increase in revenues of $1,147,054 over last year's budget, thanks mainly to an increase in the provincial grant of $1,032,956.
The grant is the Coast's share of the $150 million promised to school districts by the province earlier this year. Most of that increase is going to students in special education, to music programs, to school libraries and to learning resources for students on the Coast.
The total school district budget for the 2005/06 school year comes in at $32,106,958. Of that total, $8,733,058 will go to the school district to pay for things like administration, instructional support, maintenance and transportation and the remaining $23,373,900 will go directly to the schools themselves to pay for things like school administration, teachers and support salaries for special education and basic school operating costs.
Although the number of students enrolled in Coast schools has dropped by 78 students, an increase in per pupil funding from the province creates a net increase in funding of $720,509 for the 2005/06 school year.
"All of these grants and increases mean good things for our schools, of course, and it gives us more room to breathe," said school district secretary treasurer John Pritchard.
The district was worried about maintaining a balanced budget earlier this year when it became evident the long-term sick account for teachers in the district was being depleted too quickly.
In the new budget, more money was allocated to the long-term sick account without taking money away from classrooms, Pritchard said.
There will be a budget presentation at the May 10 school board meeting. The preliminary budget is set for approval at the school board's June 14 meeting.
