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Public school board approves $471-M budget By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF 9 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 3, 2009 Halton District School Board (HDSB) staff says they have created a budget that will benefit students across the system, despite facing a $2.6 million shortfall from the Ministry of Education. As required by the Ministry, board staff produced a balanced budget for the 2009-10 school year. Trustees approved the $471-million document in late June. "The biggest challenge for the board was to make sure there was no impact on the classroom (as a result of the $2.6 million reduction from the Ministry) as we looked for places to reduce our budget," said Steven Parfeniuk, superintendent of business services. "Clearly, I believe that we achieved that result, because if you look at the budget specifically in terms of the constraints that we put in place, what we did look towards were areas that would have minimal impact... We kept the reductions out of the classroom and invested in programs and services for kids." Despite working with a shortfall, there are many areas of the budget where spending has increased. One is staffing. Enrolment is expected to increase for the fall by 1,286 students, including 1,032 elementary and 254 secondary students, so more staff is needed. As a result, the board is hiring approximately 60 elementary and 30 secondary teachers to meet class size and program requirements. More principals, clerical and custodial staff will also be hired to meet the growing student bodies, as well as the opening of new schools. The board is also hiring 12 new full-time educational assistants, which brings the number up to 602. This is the first time educational assistants have been added to the board's roster in three years. Where the new hires will be working will be determined in the fall. The special education budget is seeing an increase of approximately $3.3-million compared to 2008-09. "We've increased the number of educational assistants by 12, we've increased the number of teachers by five and we've increased the amount of special education equipment by $500,000," said Parfeniuk. "The rest of the growth is a consequence of the growth in salaries, predominantly in teachers." Since Halton is the fastest growing school board in Ontario, more than $120-million will be invested in capital projects, including renovations, additions and new schools. "This is unprecedented capital construction in Halton," Parfeniuk said. The board is also investing funds to expand various pilot projects. Looking to make neighbourhoods greener, the board approved $125,000 for its Active Safe Routes to School pilot program. Twenty-five schools will receive $1,000 for supplies, and a full-time board staff member will work with the schools to promote the campaign. The schools have yet to be determined. The board also allocated $191,000 for its Cashless Schools pilot project, which will see students using swipe cards carrying cash balances. This will place the project in 23 schools, which have already been selected. The decrease in Ministry funding and increases in expenditures resulted in reductions in other areas of the budget. Some of the reductions are profes- sional development ($776,000), utilities ($200,000), day-to-day maintenance ($85,000), prior year strategic plan initiatives ($81,000), board printing costs ($35,000) and furniture and equipment repairs ($20,000). Board staff says that even with the reduction to professional development, there is still more than $3 million budgeted. Information technology was initially slated for a $650,000 reduction from the Ministry, but that $9.3 million budget will be unaffected due to funds coming from reserves. The 2009-10 budget is available on the HDSB website at www.hdsb.ca. conquer costs ® Combine coverage and DEFINITELY THERE it can also save you money ® Darryl R Demille Ins Agcy Ltd Andrew Heideman, Agent Angelo Gualtieri, Agent Deborah E Bartucci, Agent Fun brings everyone together. Having fun, making new friends and learning new skills in a positive environment. Three reasons why your local Tim Hortons is so proud to support the over 1,400 boys and girls who play Timbits Soccer in the Oakville community. Stacey Sutherland, Agent Stephen Ostapchuk, Agent Daniel Durst, Agent © Tim Hortons, 2008 The first goal is having fun® P087023CN 08/08 statefarm.ca® EXPERIENCE THE BEST PATRICK MAGUIRE MANAGER CHADD LOCKWOOD DEALER "The only deal we can't beat y is the one we don't see." oakvilledodge.com VIEW PHOTOS & VIDEO OF OUR ENTIRE INVENTORY ONLINE @ OAKVILLE DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP & 270 Oak Park Blvd. T R A FA L G A R D U N D A S 905-845-4211