FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2003

2003–2004 budget receives approval from Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
The 2003-2004 budget for the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board was approved by trustees at a board meeting held on June 26, 2003. The budget totals $142.8 million, an increase of 2.7% over the previous year’s actual results. Trustees are pleased that the budget is balanced, complies with all Ministry of Education spending targets and eliminates a prior year deficit.

The government’s initial response to the recommendations of the Education Equality Task Force has not only allowed the Board to maintain existing programs and services, but has enabled it to improve and expand on many of them. These include:

• Improved literacy and numeracy support for schools
• An increase in school budget allotments
• The introduction of alternative and learning strategy programs for students at risk

The Board is also waiting for the recommendations of Dr. James Downey, the advisor on the government’s Rural Education Strategy. The government is providing $50 million to implement the strategy and has committed to finalizing funding allocations for the fall. The Board’s submission was forwarded earlier this month. Trustees will reconvene the board budget committee to reevaluate the budget once funding allocations have been finalized.

For more information, contact:
• David Rutherford, Superintendent of Finance, ext. 2280, at 613.966.1170 or 1.800.267.4350