For immediate release
May 28, 2001

Board loses funding for bus transportation and utilities

        Changes to the provincial General Legislative Grant funding formula for the coming year will create substantial service and program delivery challenges for the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.
        Faced with a period of declining enrolments due to lower birth rates and a funding model based primarily on student enrolment, the Board was disheartened to learn that special funding provided in 2000-2001 for school bus transportation and utility costs in the amount of $887,000  will be discontinued next year. Particularly troubling, is that these funds were provided in response to the soaring costs of fuel and utilities, experienced by all facets of society, and which are projected to continue to climb. These funding reductions were part of an update provided to the Board by Superintendent of Finance, Dave Rutherford at its meeting of Monday, May 28, 2001 at Frankford Public School.
        Rutherford told the Board that because of the manner in which the provincial funding model operates with respect to transportation and utilities, funding will continue to decline as enrolment declines, despite the fact that these costs continue to rise. Preliminary projections reveal the Board is facing a funding shortfall of $900,000 for next year. School boards are required to approve balanced budgets by June 30, 2001 despite the fact that next year's funding announcement, expected in March, was only released on May 11.
        Chair Audrey Carter indicated that the Board would try and convene a meeting with Ministry of Education officials and local MPP's with the intent to describe the Board's financial position and fiscal challenges.
 

For information contact:
Dave Rutherford, Superintendent of Finance, 966-1170, ext. 2280