HPEDSB Trustees presented with draft budget

Trustees with the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board got their first look at the draft budget for the upcoming year.

Superintendent Bryce Wilson:

“From my time with the board, this has been probably the most trying budget to work through. We’re bringing forward a balanced budget that is compliant with ministry standards.”

Of the $265-million draft budget, around 80 per cent is earmarked for salaries, pensions, and benefits.

Project enrolment is down about 242 students.

Transportation funding continues to be a sticking point for many of the board’s top brass

There is a projected $1.4-million transportation deficit, between what the province has allocated and projected costs.

Much of the money that is directed from the Ministry of Education is allocated through what is known as envelope funding, which means the money has to be earmarked for certain expenses.

You cannot take transportation funding and use it for capital investment, or executive compensation, it has to go to busing.

CEO Katherine MacIver discussed the transition to the new busing companies, which continues:

“The transition has been going very, very smoothly and I want to go on record as saying as the CEO, I have no concerns with either the process that was followed or with the new contracted bus lines. I think what I do have concerns with is about our funding model for transportation and so I’m committed to bringing that back to the minister. He has told us that he’s committed to reviewing the funding model.”

You can get a link to the complete draft budget presented to the board of trustees by CLICKING HERE