Stratford Times July 12, 2024 __! Local school boards pass next year’s budgets with catholic board balanced but CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Stratford’s local school boards ap- proved the 2024-2025 budget ahead of the deadline, which was at the end of June. Although expected to run a more-than $2 million deficit, the approved 2024- 2025 budget for the Avon Maitland Dis- trict School Board (AMDSB) complies with the Ministry of Education’s budget compliance rule. Graham Shantz, director of education and secretary of the board, said in a let- ter attached to the approved budget that despite increases in revenues and student enrollment, they did not fully cover ex- penses. “We will continue to use our funding effectively and efficiently as we review the details from our ministry agreements and implement new goals over the next school year,” Shantz wrote. “As we look forward, we will be undertaking a bud- get review process during the 2024-2025 school year. “This process will enable us to make data-driven decisions that maximize our student’s learning experience. It will also aid us in developing and implementing budgets for future years that can adjust to shifts in ministry funding.” The operating deficit is under one per cent of the annual operating revenue, which is compliant with the ministry of education’s budget-compliance rule. Including capital and operating bud- gets, the total revenue for the AMDSB is projected at $268,913,236 and the total expenditures are expected to be $271,657,407, leaving a $2,744,171 defi- cit. Main expenses for the school board are salaries and wages, which equals $154,114,466, followed by employee benefits at $28,764,072, supplies and ser- vices at $21,899,527, and fees and con- tractual services at $21,529,187. The Huron Perth Catholic District School Board (HPCDSB) _ likewise passed its budget. Mary Helen Van Loon, chair of the HPCDSB board of trustees, praised the school board’s work in a media release. “Despite ongoing challenges, the board recognizes and commends the hard work of our superintendent of business, Mary-Ellen Ducharme, and her talented team for their vision, diligence and com- petence in their ability to present a bal- anced budget for 2024-2025.” The budget goals are Catholic faith development of staff and students, de- veloping comprehensive programs and experiences to strengthen faith and stu- dent-centred learning focusing on math- ematics and literacy. The board will implement “rigorous” Stratford hospice volunteer receives June Callwood Award JUNE CALLWOOD AWARD Murray Schlotzhauer of Stratford is shown recently at the Rotary Hospice Stratford-Perth receiving the June Callwood Outstanding Volunteer Award from Katie O’Donovan, hospice volunteer co-ordinator. (GARY WEST PHOTO) GARY WEST Times Correspondent Every year, Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) invites hospices to induct one volunteer into the June Callwood “Circle of Outstanding Volunteers” in rec- ognition of their dedication to bringing compassionate care to hospice residents and their families. : This year, the Rotary Hospice Stratford-Perth nomi- nated Murray Schlotzhauer of Stratford. * Schlotzhauer has been a hospice volunteer for over 10 years, joining the visiting hospice team before the new residence was built in Stratford. He chooses to journey alongside clients in the Perth County community living with a life-limiting illness. He goes above and beyond to provide opportunities to the people he serves to ensure their days are filled with joy, memory making and quality of life. “The Hospice is privileged to have Murray on our team, and the families he serves are so fortunate to be on the receiving end of his compassion, dedication and kindness,” co-ordinator of volunteers for Rotary Hos- pice Katie O’Donovan said 3 Th ‘ou, Murray and congratulations on this distinguished June Callwood outstanding volunteer award. ec ee Pe ee ee oe aE 519-273-1633 public board in slight deficit academic standards and learning best practices to elevate student achievements to world-class levels, the media release indicated. |, compliant budget is $80,840,253 (the revenue and expendi- tures are the same). At $31.41 million, classroom teachers are by far the highest expenditure in the budget. School operations and mainte- nance, budgeted at $6.57 million, and pupil transportation, budget at $7.56 mil- lion, follow. The full HPCDSB budget package is included in the agenda package of the board’s June 24 special board meeting and can be viewed at https://drive.google. com/file/d/IQkHexkNM3iCmqTo8PER- vpgTyleYhqX3l/view. Likewise, the full AMDSB budget package can be found at https://22.files. edl.io/5875/06/26/24/123412-c4a9dbb8- 0204-4efe-9db7-42b828890f04.pdf. When social media blocks your access to the news, turn to your local newspaper. News Media Canada Médias d’Info Canada Maximize your return. Conservative Advice for Intelligent ig Decisions Donna L. Hinz Franklin E. Hinz 196 Ontario Street Stratford, Ontario N5A 3H4 franklinehinz.com