| 2 May 2007, Belleville, Ontario— Budget projections for the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board for the upcoming school year indicate a preliminary deficit of $2 million. This is due to an ongoing decline in enrolment. Since school boards are required to submit balanced budgets by the end of June, the Board of Trustees has been meeting to review all aspects of operations, including programs, personnel and facilities.
HPEDSB, along with a number of other boards in Ontario, is continuing to experience a decline in the number of students enrolling in elementary school. Preliminary reports indicate a reduction of approximately 400 elementary students in HPEDSB schools for the 2007-2008 school year.
“The Board of Trustees is committed to providing the best programs to meet the needs of all students. We continue to face decisions on how to provide suitable programming and pathway opportunities with the need to renovate ageing facilities and make fiscally-responsible choices,” remarks Carl Pitman, Chair of the Board.
Earlier this year, trustees approved changes to the Continuing Education and International Student programs. They also approved the reorganization and downsizing of senior administration. These adjustments will result in program efficiencies and will generate annual savings of $195,000.
Further reductions amounting to $739,000 were approved in April. These adjustments, while difficult, will help lower the projected shortfall to just over $1 million and are composed of the following for the 2007-2008 school year:
• There will be a reduction in the number of Education Centre positions, Special Education teaching staff and non-contractual staff.
• There will be a reduction in elementary school administration and related support staff (clerical, educational assistants, and child and youth counsellors).
• There will be a review of maintenance and custodial staff with the goal to develop a staffing model that reflects declining enrolment.
• The provincial government has mandated lower primary class sizes and an increase in preparation time for elementary teachers. Even with this, there will be a net result of fewer teachers.
Once administration finalizes revenue and expenditure projections for 2007-2008, expected by mid-May, the Board of Trustees will be able to determine needs and additional budget adjustments.
Layoff notices have been distributed to 29 union and non-union employees representing 12.5 full-time equivalent positions. It is anticipated that some of those employees will continue with the board once the number of retirements and leaves are known, and the normal staffing process takes place at the end of June.
The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has 46 elementary and eight secondary schools serving 18,400 students, employing 1,070 teachers and 705 support staff. The Board covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south, and Quinte West to the west.
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For more information, contact:
• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, (613) 966-1170 or 1 800 267-4350, extension 2354
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