The Northwest Catholic District School Board is expecting more flexibility in its budget in 2001-02 as its total student focused funding allocation is projected to increase by $715,608.
This information was included in a report to trustees during the board’s regular monthly meeting here Tuesday night.
But since the board only received estimate forms from the Ministry of Education on May 14–two months later than usual–it’s still working out the details, said Superintendent of Finance Chris Howarth.
“We’re gathering input, and what we’re planning to do is put together a more detailed budget for the June meeting,” he said. “Then we’ll ask for an extension of the filing deadline [June 30] and request it be moved to July 31.”
Howarth noted this extended deadline most likely would mean the board would have a special meeting in July to again discuss the budget.
Highlights of the grants include:
•the foundation grant is expected to increase by $132,050 due to the inclusion of a local priority portion (at his point, the board doesn’t have all the details as to how this additional amount may be spent but it will be subject to fewer restrictions than other funding);
•the remote and rural geographic grant is projected to increase by $517,867 (this grant was reworked over 2000-01 to recognize the costs incurred by boards located in the more remote areas of the province).
The majority of this funding will be allocated to recognize higher teachers, classroom supply, and computer hardware costs;
•the teacher compensation grant has been increased by $38,721 to more closely reflect actual teacher salary and benefit costs;
•administration and governance funding is expected to increase by $67,328; and
•school renewal and new pupil places allocation is projected to increase by $13,663.
But transportation grants are expected to decrease by $47,312. The province has changed the manner in which this grant is calculated, and this is one issue the board will have to address with the budget.
“We’re already operating transportation in a deficit. And it’s too early to do something about it now so we’ll have to see what we’re going to do about it,” remarked Howarth.
In related news, the board likely will have a new director of education hired by the special July meeting.
Applications close at the end of May, and the board then will get on with the interview process in June.
Carol-Lynne Oldale, the board’s current director of education, announced her resignation last month to accept a job in Thunder Bay.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
