The Flin Flon school board plans to boost spending by nearly $400,000 next year without technically asking taxpayers for an extra cent.
But because of tweaks to the grant in lieu of taxes paid by Hudbay, homeowners could still be on the hook for additional dollars.
The board’s proposed 2015-16 budget projects record expenditures of $14.1 million, with all new spending reserved for capital investments such as shop supplies and playground upgrades.
“I think it turned out pretty good because we will be able to put in some extra things for the schools,” said Trustee Tim Davis, chair of the finance committee. “It looks pretty good. We didn’t have to cut any of the resources for the kids for learning.”
Increase spending
The proposed budget increases spending by $376,080, or 2.74 per cent, over the current year. That’s made possible by improved support from upper government.
At the local level, the school division receives funding from two sources: property taxes and the annual Hudbay grant that is split between the division and the city.
The division is asking that its combined local funding remain the same as the current year; however, because of changes in how the Hudbay grant is shared, the division will get less money from the company while the city gets more.
As a result, the board plans to increase the special levy – its share of property taxes – by five per cent. Whether this results in higher overall taxes depends on what the city does with its mill rate.
The board’s budget lists more than 20 new capital investments, including $75,000 to upgrade the Technical Vocational Institute and $50,000 for new shop supplies and equipment.
Other projects across the four schools include interior and exterior painting, new flooring and improved lighting.
“We have quite a few older buildings, so our maintenance is always ongoing,” said secretary-treasurer Heather Fleming.
Balancing the budget requires the board draw $129,256 from its surplus. That will leave the surplus at a projected $412,556 as of June 30, 2016, within the range required by the provincial government.
Grapple
The budget comes as trustees continue to grapple with dwindling enrollment stemming from a shrinking population and the societal trend of smaller families.
Overall enrollment has declined in 19 of the past 21 years. Enrollment across the schools now sits at 981 students, down by 16 from last year.
“It’s a little worrisome,” said Superintendent of Schools Blaine Veitch.
Trustees will vote on the budget at their March 10 meeting. If it passes as expected, the document will be forwarded to the provincial government for final approval.
The unveiling of the proposed budget, held last Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the division office, was, as usual, sparsely attended. Of the 16 attendees, most were division representatives or from the media.
Capital spending
Capital expenditures in the Flin Flon school board’s proposed 2015-16 budget total $373,425, consisting of:
• $75,000 for upgrades to the Technical Vocational Institute beside Hapnot Collegiate, helping to turn the facility into a more multi-functional space.
• $50,000 for new shop supplies and equipment.
• $40,000 to install two new outside doors at each of École McIsaac School and Ruth Betts Community School.
• $38,000 for technology upgrades, including a wireless server and LCD projectors.
• $35,000 for window replacements.
• $32,000 to complete the previously started exterior painting of the schools.
• $20,500 to increase professional development for staff in a range of areas.
• $20,000 for contributions toward playground upgrades at McIsaac and Ruth Betts.
• $8,000 for improved lighting across the schools, a move expected to improve security.
• $7,500 to repair stage steps at McIsaac.
• $5,000 for new flooring in the portable classroom that houses the FOCUS program for high school students who require unique teaching methods.
• $5,000 for interior painting at Hapnot Collegiate.
• $5,000 to make a washroom at McIsaac handicap accessible.
• $4,500 to repad and recarpet the student benches at Hapnot.
• $4,175 for a slide at Ruth Betts.
• $3,500 for office and library furniture at Ruth Betts.
• $3,000 for a gymnasium/lunch storage area at Ruth Betts.
• $2,750 for workspace furniture for the speech pathologist.
• $2,000 for advanced placement exams that enable high school students to earn university credits.
• $2,000 for additional shelves for McIsaac lockers.
• $2,000 for French immersion resource materials.
• $1,000 for school calendar magnets designed to ensure families know important days throughout the academic year.
