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THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, APRIL 21,2004 PAGE 3 .www.durhamrcgion.com School board weighs adding funding for transportation, special education BY JEANNE BENETEAU Staff Writer : : CLARINGTON -- While still very early in the budget process, high on the public school board's budget committee's wish list is increased increased funding levels to accommodate smaller schools, more money for transportation (still funded at 1997 levels) and extra dollars for special special education, says the board's budget chairman. chairman. "I know the Province is currently working on the coming school year's funding," says Diane Lloyd, budget and board vice-chairman with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. "Whether the funding is increased, decreased decreased or remains at the status-quo will depend depend on the dollars available," she adds. In preparation for upcoming budget deliberations, deliberations, KPR Superintendent of Business and Corporate Services/Board Treasurer, Bob Allison Allison recently provided trustees with a primer in the Ministry of Education's complex grant structure under the current funding formula. To date, there has been no word from the Province to announce the funding formula for the 2004- 2005 school year. The budget for the 2003 - 2004 school year came in at $286.9 million. Rookie Clarington trustee Cathy Abraham ■ says, while new to the trustee position, her former former position as regional chairman of the school council association makes her no stranger to the ins and outs of the funding formula. ( ,. "The biggest frustration is the current for- ' inula does not reflect the cost to actually educate educate children... it is revenue-based on enrolment," enrolment," says Ms. Abraham. "It (the formuja) does not take into consideration community wishes or geological challenges. In theory, the formula is designed to provide education equity equity for students provincewide. The reality is, it does not." Mr. Allison said 97.9 per cent of the KPR budget is determined by the funding formula. The remainder comes from other revenue including including tuition fees, facility rentals, cafeterias, reserve funds and economic development charges. The board's annual budget is tied directly to student enrolment, he explained. A foundation grant, $3,885 per elementary pupil and $4,681 per secondary student, is allocated for classroom classroom and non-classroom uses. Classroom funding includes teachers, teacher assistants, textbooks, learning materials, classroom supplies, supplies, computers, library and guidance services and student support. Non-classroom expenditures expenditures include prep time, school administration and classroom consultants. "Boards may move funds within classroom categories or from non-classroom to classroom categories," he explained. "However, funds cannot be moved from classroom to non-class- room expenditures." The Province also provides special purpose grants to school boards for special education, language, a geographic amount including remote remote and rural schools, learning opportunities, adult and continuing ' education, summer school, teacher compensation, transportation, administration and governance. However, the funding model does not reflect the true costs of education, says Ms. Lloyd, who notes the 2002 Rozanski Report commissioned commissioned by the Province concluded the government government was under-funding its own model for education education by $1 billion. "We will proceed with setting the 2004- 2005 budget as soon as we receive the funding information from the Province," adds Ms. Lloyd. "Many of our decisions will have to wait until we receive the financial data. As in previous previous years, our budget-setting process will welcome welcome public input. We encourage students, parents parents and community members to express their views on the budget." The trustee foresees the biggest hurdle in the budget race will be balancing the books while maintaining current levels of services. "I'm not talking luxuries here, just what I would consider basic needs," she explains. The next budget committee meetings are tentatively tentatively slated for May 11, May 31, June 2, June 7 and June 9. ■ ...«aw-- */,' r, /L ' Vj. LL. v - 'S'. To The Official Opening Of j v Tim Lang's Campaign Office Friday, April 23rd from 7-10 p.m. 68 King St. East, Veltri Complex, Bowmanville. Come and Meet Tim, Refreshments Will Be Served. Everyone Welcome, kÊmiX MWm •' > V .. ;"; ' V,;. y .■ j : Please recycle INTOWNE GALLERY & GIFT SHOPPE Meet the Artist Walter Campbell Sat. May 1st 1-3 pm New Release The Heart Remembers ^99 . Framed. V s:~- The Statesman is on the iveb wivw. durhamregion. com DIAMONDS She won't ask if you kept the receipt April is Diamond Month! 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