School District 43 isn't exactly awash in money but two recent provincial funding announcements will make planning for the next school year a little easier.
In March, the province announced a $5-million top-up to annual operating grants to cover the costs of full-day kindergarten and, last week, money for repairing schools was restored as well.
The news about the facilities grants provides some relief for school districts that had to put off much-needed summer work two years ago when annual facilities grants were cut. This year, SD43 expects to receive $5.4 million for mechanical upgrades, boiler replacement, roofing and flooring projects, painting and other routine maintenance.
The district's assistant secretary treasurer, Bob Janzen, said the money is in line with grants in previous years and maintenance staff will be drawing up a list of project priorities.
Meanwhile, budget deliberations should get underway in earnest this month and several groups were in line to speak about school operations at a special public meeting Tuesday after The Tri-City News' deadline.
Among the groups set to speak were SD43 counsellors, music teachers, teachers on call and parents interested in challenge programs for academically gifted students.
Further meetings are slated for April 19 and 26, when the district leadership team is expected to issue its recommendations for the budget. It's not known whether the district will once again suggest lengthening spring and November breaks to save money.
In an email, Janzen said it's too early to say how much money was saved by adding an extra week to spring break this year and another day to the 2010 Remembrance Day holiday.
"It is difficult to know the effect of the two-week spring break on absences for at least a month," he wrote.
The district had hoped to save about $500,000 in teachers on call salaries with the longer breaks.
