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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, June 8, 2012 · 18 By Tim Whitnell METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP Catholic board looking to balance its budget includes a $4.3 million increase (1.37 per cent) in revenue from the province, staff has identified several areas where money can be saved. The biggest single reduction in spending being recommended is $640,000 from the Facilities Services Department through the deferral of maintenance work at some schools and other board-operated buildings. The second-largest expenditure reduction in the 2012-13 budget is $612,000 less in staffing costs recommended for certain departments through reductions in a consultant position, human resources clerk, itinerant-based staff and attrition. A half-million dollars in savings has been identified through reduced spending spread over eight departments with the largest borne by curriculum ($200,000) and staff development ($120,000). Even the board's nine elected trustees will feel some fiscal pain as it is recommended $9,000 be chopped from their expenses, or $1,000 from each trustee's $3,000 annual expenses budget. "Everyone is going to have to help to get this thing balanced," board chair Alice Anne LeMay warned last month. The board's reserve fund, projected to be $960,000 at the end of 2011-12, is also being targeted with staff asking $270,000 to come from it. Oakville trustee Paul Marai wanted to know where the $270,000 could come from if trustees don't want to dip into reserves. "The difference would be taken out of deferred maintenance. Choose any of those other (budget cut) items (to keep instead) and put it (the cost) on the tab of facilities," said Education Director Michael Pautler. Also targeted for funding reduction is an overall decrease of $100,000 to the current $4.1 million given to the board's approximately 50 elementary and secondary schools for their annual school-based budgets for some supplies and materials. An $800,000 reduction is recommended for personnel who assist with lunchtime supervision and school safety at high schools. Each secondary Halton Catholic District School Board trustees have been presented with options for a balanced budget for the 2012-13 school year. Board staff told trustees at Tuesday night's board meeting they have identified $2.5 million in expenditure reductions to provide a balanced budget for the next school year, which is mandated by the Ministry of Education. To achieve a projected budget of approximately $320.3 million for next year, which RENEWABLE ENERGY SUMMIT 2012 Building Community Power Co-operatively. Join us: Sunday June 10th at the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) 680 Plains Road West, Burlington in Room 1. From: 12:30-5pm, Doors open at 12pm. Learn how you can be involved in renewable energy as a community investment opportunity Entrance is FREE. RSVP is Required: http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/3522631285 This event is brought to you by: school would have just one such person now. Additionally, deferred revenue of about $300,000 has been found, says board finance department staff, rounding out the $2.5 million needed to offset the projected deficit. Aside from the projected cutbacks, the 201213 budget includes some additional costs -- for staffing increases for the continued implementation of full-day Kindergarten, for information technology ($500,000) and contractual obligations. Thirty-six more full-day Kindergarten classes at Halton Catholic elementary schools next year translates to a need for 18 more teachers, 36 more early-childhood educators (ECEs) and another 11 educational assistants (EAs). The board is projecting just a 0.6 per cent increase in overall student enrolment in 2012-13, which equates to 162 students, for which the board receives ministry grants. The Halton Catholic board went through a similar cost-cutting exercise at this time last year where it found $1 million in savings but still carried a $2.2 million deficit into 2011-12. If boards can't balance their budget, they must be compliant within education ministry guidelines, meaning the in-year budget deficit must be less than one per cent of the total operating grants revenue they receive. Trustees will consider the 2012-13 final budget estimates at the June 19 board meeting. A balanced budget must be submitted to the education ministry before June 30. JUNE 9 & 10, 2012 12pm to 5pm PROUDLY PRESENTED BY: Centre Oakville A weekend pass for this great event can be purchased from all participating wineries for only $25. For more details visit our website www.grazethebench.com 905-563-8700 905-563-1698 905-563-0668 905-563-4383 905-563-9802 905-563-0900 905-563-3942