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Trustees hoping for break on budget

School board trustees will have a clearer idea of the depth of the financial hole they're facing as they head into the final leg of the school closure public consultation meetings this week.
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School board trustees will have a clearer idea of the depth of the financial hole they're facing as they head into the final leg of the school closure public consultation meetings this week.

Specifics on the impact the provincial budget, released earlier this month, will have on the school district are to be known today.

Trustees had been working with a "worst-case scenario" of a $7-million shortfall for 2010-11 and a further $4.3 million from 2010-11 to 2014-15. It's expected those totals will be lowered once the number crunching is done but by how much remains the question.

In issuing the budget on March 2, Victoria did say the annual facilities grant will be reinstated and teacher salary increases and all-day kindergarten will be fully funded but fell short of increasing the rural schools supplement.

Close to the end of a five-week, 15-meeting tour of schools up for closure or reconfiguration to balance next year's budget, trustees have four remaining meetings to attend this week starting with Heather Park Middle School tonight and Austin Park Elementary School tomorrow night.