HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-07-11, Page 11Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Exeter Times–Advocate
11
Board passes balanced budget
By Stew Slater
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE
SEAFORTH — Boasting minor enhance-
ments in Primary Language support,
resources for students at risk of dropping out,
and Internet connectivity, the Avon Maitland
District School Board approved a $161.5 mil-
lion budget for 2007-08.
"This is a balanced budget that, I believe,
does reflect our priorities as a board," said
South Huron trustee Randy Wagler, chairper-
son of the Avon Maitland Finance Committee.
Controversy has erupted during this
year's budget deliberations by some
neighbouring school boards but not
at the Avon Maitland board or the
"coterminous" Huron -Perth Catholic
District School Board. While the
Thames Valley and Bluewater (Grey
and Bruce counties) boards agonized
over the loss of educational assistant
(EA) and attendance counsellor posi-
tions, next year's Avon Maitland bud-
get maintains the status quo on EAs
and adds a half-time attendance
counsellor.
There will also be two additional
COPE teachers who specialize in
alternative programming for high
school students not meeting success
in a traditional environment.
Wagler credited administrative staff
for meeting the challenge of limited
funds. Even entering the budget
process in the spring, business super-
intendent Janet Baird -Jackson could-
n't assure trustees the provincial
grant would cover everything they
hoped to retain.
"Some of that was internal priori-
ties," Baird -Jackson explained to
reporters after trustees approved the
budget June 26. For example, she
suggested, a superintendent oversee-
ing elementary schools might opt to
hold off on acquiring new resources to free up
funds to retain EAs.
Reserve funds were drawn down by
$770,000 to balance the budget, but the bulk
of that was from a reserve established precise-
ly for that purpose.
A provincially -negotiated "framework"
agreement with teachers, signed two years
ago and running through next year, dictated
salary increases as of Aug. 31, 2007.
The other $100,000 in reserve draw -down
came from a fund for computer software
upgrades.
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33rd Annual — The Huron Middlesex Royal
Canadian Army Cadet Corps held its 33rd Annual
Inspection June 25.Top left, from left are MCpI
Spencer Westlake, Private Jeff Henry, Cpl Matt
Donovan,WO Jennifer Donovan, cadet Matt
Rutherford, Major RickTrute, cadet Derek Hiscox,
Private CarterWestlake, Cpl. Stewart Irvine and Sgt.
Shelby Labelle. At left, competing in Tug -of -War are
from left, cadet Hiscox,WO Donovan, Private
Westlake and Cpl. Irvine. Behind are Captain Allan
Cottel and Sgt. Labelle cheering on the team.Above
from left are Captain Larry Smith and MajorTrute
inspecting cadet Hiscox and Private Henry.
(photos/Nina Van Lieshout)
In this game there are
no opponents. Only friends.
Ir a non-competitive environment kids can truly
enjoy learning how to play soccer. After all, when
you don't keep score, everybody wins. That's why
Tim Hortons is proud to support the kids who are
playing Timbits Soccer.
&Tim Morcons. 2006
The first goal is having fun
2007 Pre -Election Report on Ontario's Finances
For more information about the Pre -Election Report on Ontario's Finances
please call 1-800-263-7965 or visit www.ontario.ca/pre-electionreport
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