AVRSB trims its plans to match fewer dollars

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

After receiving some 11th hour financial assistance from the provincial government, the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board passed a balanced budget for 2008/ 09 - but only after cutting everything from maintenance, transportation and technology to professional and leadership development and resources for teachers.

Superintendent Dr. Norman Dray says he was pleased Minister of Education Karen Casey responded to call from school boards across the province to help manage their rapidly increasing energy costs. But, he points out, although the AVRSB budget did not include any staff cuts, “next year, we will have to make these cuts if there is not a substantial increase from the province.”

The Valley board’s budget of $122,822,714 covers new programs mandated by the Department of Education and mandatory expenses of the board. Programs and Services and property services took the most cutbacks.

On a positive note, Dray says, because staffing was put in place before final numbers were known, pupil/ teacher ratios improved and special programs, such as the International Baccalaureate and the experiential high schools, were maintained and O2 skills and trades programs were expanded.

The board is projecting a lower revenue base for ‘08/’ 09 than its actual ‘07/ ’08 revenues by approximately $1.7 million.

Energy costs forced the board to cut out as much discretionary spending as possible in preliminary budget sessions. Last minute assistance from the province to help cover a portion of fuel price increases allowed the board to balance its books without making further cuts. Even with the fuel assistance clause, the province will contribute $1.3 million less in 08/ 09 than it did the previous year.

The budget allows for relatively moderate - or no - increases in spending for management expenses, student support, adult education, property services and student transportation. Instruction costs were reduced by $3 million.