Money woes for SD23

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

School District 23 faces more fiscal pressures as it tries to find a way to balance the 2016-2017 budget.

In order to balance next year's budget, the district may have to find a way to raise, trim and eliminate between $3.2 million and $3.8 million.

Supt. Kevin Kaardal, overseeing his first budget cycle with the district, has made several recommendations aimed at increasing revenue, as well as cutting both operational and instructional budgets.

The biggest cut is a proposed $660,000 cut in funding to schools within the district.

The technology services budget would be reduced by $500,000 while the custodial budget would be trimmed by $225,000 through the elimination of four full-time custodial positions within the district.

There is also a proposal to increase the cost for busing per student from $200 a year to $250 per year per student.

The district also hopes to raise about $150,000 by adding 25 extra international students to the district.

Facing a year of significant budget pressure is a challenging task for any organization. These budget
recommendations are the culmination of numerous meetings, presentations, discussions and formal
feedback," said Kaardal in his presentation to the district's finance committee.

"It is evident that despite significant funding pressures, a balanced budget can be achieved for the 2016/2017 school year with an increase in teacher staffing of approximately eight full-time positions from
the 2015/2016 school year."

The budget must be approved and submitted to the Education Ministry by the end of June.