In order to balance the 2006-2007 budget in August, trustees had to draw upon the remaining $1 million in operating reserves. The 2005-2006 surplus will now offset that deficit and protect the remaining reserves at least for one more year.

Two factors resulted in the surplus:

1. The Board made mid-year expenditure adjustments by deferring some acquisitions and not replacing administrator vacancies.
2. The Board received additional funding from the Ministry of Education and other sources. These included funding received late in the 2005-2006 school year to offset school bus transportation and utility costs, and confirmation that a planned reduction in Special Education funding would be deferred until 2006-2007.

While this one-time surplus addresses the 2006-2007 budget problems, the Board is very concerned about next year’s budget. A continued decline in enrollment along with provincially-mandated initiatives, such as the primary class reduction, will stress operating resources unless funding benchmarks are substantially updated.

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board serves approximately 11,600 elementary and 7,200 secondary students each day at 46 elementary and 8 secondary schools. Supporting student achievement is the goal of 1,800 teaching and support staff who, in addition to the contributions of caring volunteers and community partners, share their passion for teaching and learning. The district 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