Battle River School Division Board: “Everything’s on the table as we look to the future”
The Battle River School Division (BRSD) Board of Trustees is looking into the future and says when it comes to finalizing next year’s budget, “Everything’s on the table.”
According to BRSD news, trustees spent time during their Nov. 28 meeting getting a grasp on the issues affecting the finalization of this school year’s budget, including lower enrolment, provincial education funding changes, and drastic increases in insurance premiums.
Assistant Superintendent Imogene Walsh reviewed some key points with trustees.
She pointed out that lower-than-expected enrolment, as well as reallocation of grant dollars by the province, meant that despite the board pre-planning for a potential reduction, more spending adjustments will be required within the current school year.
The Board heard, too, that the Facilities budget was severely impacted by a 274 per cent increase in insurance premiums, and may be facing higher vehicle insurance costs and higher utilities costs, numbers that are out of the control of the division. . . . contd.