The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor The Flin Flon School Board will not go to taxpayers for more money this year, but next year could be a drastically different story. After four years, the provincial government has scrapped the Tax Incentive Grant (TIG), a monetary payment given to school divisions that hold the line on property taxes. Though a new provincial funding boost means Flin Flon will receive as much this year as it would have under TIG, trustees are unclear as to what will happen in 2013. Trustee Murray Skeavington, board chair, agreed the board could face major challenges if that funding, about $750,000, is not provided again. But speaking at last week's board meeting, he said the 2012-13 budget is 'looking good for us' with no need to raise the education portion of property taxes. While the provincial government is boosting overall funding to Manitoba school divisions by 2.2 per cent this year, Flin Flon's increase amounts to 4.9 per cent, Skeavington said. 'We are going to continue improving our buildings and improving our classrooms, putting the extra money we have back into the schools,' he said. The board is scheduled to present its proposed 2012-13 budget at a public meeting scheduled for Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. at the school division office. The board's 2011-12 budget contained total expenses of $12.42 million, up by $29,600 from 2010-11. Other highlights from last week's board meeting: Superintendent of Schools Blaine Veitch commended Pharmasave for its ongoing support of Flin Flon schools through its Neighbours Helping Neighbours program. He said more than $45,000 has been given to the schools, including $14,101 for Hapnot Collegiate; $13,371 for Ecole McIsaac School; $10,770 for Ruth Betts Community School; $5,765 for Many Faces Education Centre and $1,423 for the now-defunct Parkdale School. 'This money has been used for student leadership groups, to support breakfast programs, student green spaces, literacy support, birthday books, etc.,' he wrote in his superintendent's report. Veitch encouraged the public to check out this year's Dinner Theatre production at Hapnot Collegiate. Jekyll's Hydes will be performed Feb. 15 and 16 in the school gymnasium. 'It's always such a great production, a great time out,' he said. Trustees voted to expel a student for the rest of the academic year. No name was or could be provided.
