The Rainy River District School Board will be pulling less out its reserve to working funds this year as the annual audit, released at last night’s regular meeting, showed the operating deficit to be unexpectedly less than first thought.
Completed by BDO Dunwoody LLP shortly before Christmas, the audit shows the local public board will withdraw only $434,952 from its funds to keep a balanced budget–over $200,000 less than the budgeted deficit.
“Every year, we estimate how much we may have to take out of the reserve for working funds, which we maintain to avoid making cuts during the school year,” noted Laura Mills, the board’s chief financial officer.
“This year, we won’t have to take out nearly as much so the trustees should be pleased,” she added.
Mills noted there wasn’t any particular reason behind the unforeseen savings. “They’re just general savings across the board,” she said.
The audit covers the actual year from Sept. 1, 1998-Aug. 31, 1999.
In other news, the J.W. Walker music program received this meeting’s “Recognition of Excellence.”
Under the direction of music teacher Pegeen Keffer, grade eight students performed the song “Recruiting Sergeant” as part of the school’s Remembrance Day service, which they did again for parents and board members on hand last night.
“The music programs in the schools of the Rainy River District School Board broaden students’ horizons in a variety of ways,” noted Education Director Warren Hoshizaki.
“The intention is to develop and understand an appreciation of music while finding a lifelong source of enjoyment and personal satisfaction,” he added.
“The grade eight students at Walker are an example of what students across the district have accomplished through the application of a balanced music program,” he said.
The board last night also heard a report on how the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program is to be implemented in the Fort Frances, Rainy River, and Atikokan high schools the upcoming year.
To be be offered to district grade 11 district during the 2000/20001 school year, the program allows a student to acquire apprenticeship certification while also working towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
In other business, the board received January’s personnel report, which sees the hiring of Dianne Williams as an accountant, as well as Karen McAndrew’s appointment as full-time teacher at North Star School (Atikokan) and Rebecca Wood add secretary to her job as library assistant at McCrosson-Tovell (Morson).
The report also noted the resignation of bus driver Edwin Kivimaki, secretary Lisa Jodoin, and caretaker Paul Peters.
Caretaker Ray Mose and Betty Ann LaRocque will retire Jan. 30 and June 30 respectively, and teacher Connie Schwartz will take a leave of absence.
Also last night, the board:
•reviewed the minutes from the Jan. 12 strategic planning committee;
•approved 12 policies, including school visitors, school councils, Ontario school records, occupational health and safety, and use of school facilities;
•accepted five policies and three procedures put up for stakeholder consultation, including student evaluation, harassment, and use of board-owned vehicles; and
•looked over all correspondence from December.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
