School board trustee Lyn Hall welcomed news that the operating grant provided by the provincial government is set to increase for the coming school year despite School District 57's continued decline in enrollment.
According to preliminary numbers released this week by the education ministry, the total grant will add up to $120.6 million based on a full-time equivalent of 13,245 students, up $685,194 from similar projections for this school year coming to an end, even though enrollment is expected to decline by 28 students.
Hall said part of the increase is due to the additional $15 per student the provincial government has added to its block funding, while the school district will also continue to receive supplemental funding for enrollment decline.
"We're grateful, obviously, for the extra funding but this also means a teacher and and teaching assistants," Hall said.
The increase will be offset partly by a $98,290 increase in insurance premium downloaded by the provincial government, but Hall said trustees won't have to face a shortfall like they did heading into this school year, leading to seven school closures and reconfigurations of three others
Instead, trustees will come forward with a balanced budget for 2011-12 when they hold their regular monthly meeting on May 31.
"We always are hopeful that there is going to be a small surplus but it's a little early for us to tell that," Hall said.
Last year, the district received an additional $453,803 after the enrollment count was found to be 754 students higher than the initial estimate.
CORRECTION
Contrary to a story in Thursday's Citizen, the school district will pay $98,291 in insurance premium for damage to facilities under a new provincial government plan and the cost will be more than offset by an increase in the school district's operating grant.
