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As of March 22nd, $500,000 was raised through the voluntary dona- tions and staff were given until March 3lst to make their contribu- tions before a proportional number of layoffs were announced to balance any shortfall. Board staff received a letter from Williams by mid-week reiterating the need for the contributions. 'To arrive at the millrate, the board combines its expenditure bud- get with Ministry of Education grant revenues which this year were $3.7 million less than expected. “Regardless of what some trustees may think of it, it is a budget consistent with what finance com- mittee asked administration to do. In achieving that 2% level, educa- tion director Bob Williams went to the board’s 4,000 fullâ€"time staff seeking a voluntary contribution of one day’s pay as an alternative to laying off 75 staff members to raise $1.2 million. During the lengthy budget pro- cess, trustees instructed administra. tion to return with a 2% spending increase. The finance committee tabled a $291.3 million budget - representing 2% spending increase and requiring a 3.43% millrate increase. This trans- lates to $43 on the average tax bill. Voting on the budget was to occur last night at the board’s regular board meeting (after press deadlines). Halton Board of Education finance committee chairman Don Cassidy introduced the 1993 board budget to trustees for consideration at a special board meeting Wednesday night. w iaying it had been a “con- tentious and trying” issue, By ANGELA BLACKBURN Oakville Beaver Stafl' Public school board eyes 3.43% millrate increase Mondays Tuesdays 10-4 Wednesdays Thursdays 1-4 Saturdays 11-4 SPRING CLASSES 1993 Classes begin week of April 5th. Register by mail or in person. AKVILLE OCIETY R’l‘ 827-5711 560 Bronte Rd. Oakville While Cassidy said “enough has been said about this document”, (the finance committee met weekly â€" with a few exceptionsâ€" since January), the Burlington trustee took time to talk about the increased pub- I’m morally, ethically and agreeably willing to present this to the board for consideration,” said Cassidy, Wednesday. Burlingtgn: Hamiltqn -_ Brampton. Mississauqa - Kitchener ' Windspr;Torontqfiuglpi Cassidy also allowed an informal question period for the public fol- lowing each finance committee The process began in mid- January with two meetings slated to accommodate public delegations. The meetings were advertised by the board. Iic participation in the budget pro- cess this year. “I think the process should be a public one. I think this was conâ€" firmed by the comments were heard throughout. While not always con- structive, everyone has the right within certain bounds of decorum to Cassidy said if he had to do it all over again, he’d be even more open with the public. meeting. Wednesday’ s special board meet-2 ing was called to satisfy board by-3 g laws that require all matters to go ‘< before the board first as information, 2 then for voting. n- Debate and voting on the budget n was slated for Thursday’s regularly? ... scheduled board meeting. have a say,” Cassidy told fellow trustees. - The board’s finance committee E; approved the budget Monday, March 1:: 22nd for recommendation to the g board. é