Catholic school board passes balanced budget The Halton Catholic District School Board has passed a balanced budget. Trustees voted unanimously to approve the 2012-13 budget at Tuesday's board meeting. "It was not an easy job to bring this to a balanced budget," board chair and Oakville trustee Alice Anne LeMay declared upon acceptance of $318.4 million in projected operating expenditures for the next school year. The costs are broken down into $215.5 million in classroom expenditures, $65.5 million for non-classroom and $37.4 million for school operations and maintenance, portable classroom leases and debenture (debt) interest. More than $2 million in expenditure reductions were made recently in order to present trustees with a balanced budget, which is mandated by the province's Ministry of Education. The largest single spending reduction was $640,000 from Facilities Services through the anticipated deferral of maintenance work at some schools and other board buildings. The second-largest expenditure reduction for 2012-13 was $612,000 less in staffing costs recommended for certain departments through reductions in a consultant position, a human resources clerk, itinerant-based staff and attrition (retirements, people leaving the board). The board's reserve fund is also being targeted. The fund is projected to be $960,000 at of the end of 2011-12, with $270,000 being used from it to help balance the 2012-13 budget. 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 201213, 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. 11 · Thursday, June 21, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com School bus driver charged An Oakville school bus driver was arrested Tuesday and charged with the sexual assault of an Oakville student. The arrest was made after the student made allegations against the driver concerning incidents, which allegedly took place during May and June while they were being driven home on the bus. The driver's employer, First Student Canada, has been notified of the arrest. The bus driver had routes with several Oakville schools including Abbey Park Secondary School, Holy Family Catholic Elementary School, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Elementary School and Oakwood Public School. Denis Reilly, 68, of Milton faces charges of sexual assault, sexual interference, and invitation to sexual touching. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Bureau at 905-465-8970, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting `Tip201' with a message to 274637 (crimes). ORTHOTICS UP TO 50 % FREE OB10073 Renew your benefits coverage and be entitled to a LIMITED TIME OFFER! *With Purchase of Prescription Lenses ALL FRAMES* OFF PAIR OF HIGH QUALITY SANDALS OR SHOES* Offer valid until July 7, 2012 only. Book your appointment early to be the first to pick! *See store for more details and conditions. Styles and colours may differ from shown. Must present coupon at center to qualify for the offer. 213 Lakeshore Road E. Downtown Oakville 905-339-FOOT (3668) www.footsolutions.com/oakville 125 Cross Avenue, Oakville (Across from Home Depot) Open: Tuesday-Sunday Closed: Monday 905-842-2821