SD46 SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE $600,000 IN SURPLUS ALLOCATIONS!
At the Regular Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, September 11, 2012, Trustees approved the release of two-thirds of the school district’s surplus – $600,000 – to be allocated directly to schools!
The school district recently completed its annual audit and has an unrestricted surplus of $904,191. In the past, unrestricted surplus amounts have been dispersed in February of the school year as part of the Amended Budget or even held until the Spring for inclusion in the following year’s budget.
This year, the Board of Education approved the immediate dispersal of funds so they would be available for direct classroom support at the beginning of the school year. The allocation would be distributed in approximately the same ratio that resources are allocated to schools from the operating budget. By releasing these funds now, schools would have an additional $600,000 in funding with the potential for additional resources later, based on future discussion about the remaining surplus.
Nicholas Weswick, Secretary-Treasurer, stated, “September is a time when the funds are most needed. Staffing plans for most schools are developed and revised within the first two weeks of classes. Additional resources could be the difference between adding a division or increasing other supports to students much earlier in the year.”
Trustees agreed that dispersing the funds now would better support our students while still honouring the need for consultation with stakeholders. Board Chair Silas White commented, “When we consulted our employees and parents about allocating surplus funds last year, most of the suggestions involved direct classroom support for students, including more special education, library and fine arts support or smaller class sizes. By receiving the funds in early September, our schools will have far more options to best meet the needs of our students from September to June.”
The school district recently completed its annual audit and has an unrestricted surplus of $904,191. In the past, unrestricted surplus amounts have been dispersed in February of the school year as part of the Amended Budget or even held until the Spring for inclusion in the following year’s budget.
This year, the Board of Education approved the immediate dispersal of funds so they would be available for direct classroom support at the beginning of the school year. The allocation would be distributed in approximately the same ratio that resources are allocated to schools from the operating budget. By releasing these funds now, schools would have an additional $600,000 in funding with the potential for additional resources later, based on future discussion about the remaining surplus.
Nicholas Weswick, Secretary-Treasurer, stated, “September is a time when the funds are most needed. Staffing plans for most schools are developed and revised within the first two weeks of classes. Additional resources could be the difference between adding a division or increasing other supports to students much earlier in the year.”
Trustees agreed that dispersing the funds now would better support our students while still honouring the need for consultation with stakeholders. Board Chair Silas White commented, “When we consulted our employees and parents about allocating surplus funds last year, most of the suggestions involved direct classroom support for students, including more special education, library and fine arts support or smaller class sizes. By receiving the funds in early September, our schools will have far more options to best meet the needs of our students from September to June.”
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