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School Board Wonâ•Žt Use Any Of Its $2.7 Million Surplus This Year To Help Students Catch Up From Pandemic Closures | Kawartha 411 recently announced it has a $2.7 million dollar surplus this year. The board says this is a "notable highlight' that was presented at the Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) Regular Meeting of the Board, that took place on November 23 when Superintendent of Business Services, Tim Ellis, presented trustees with the Financial Statements for the 2020-2021 school year. This is the Board's first surplus in a number of years and it is thanks to additional funding received from the province over the past 18+ months of the COVID-19 pandemic. School boards in Ontario received funding allocations from the Province, which were set aside for COVID-19 initiatives to enhance and support safe, healthy environments for all students and staff. This funding has been one of the reasons TLDSB has steered its way out of a deficit according to the board. "Surplus in the Board's finances allow for flexibility in upcoming years," said Ellis. "Surpluses are typically held and earmarked for priority use in other budget years. The Board has a Surplus Management Plan to support the management and spending of these funds." Given that students have had disrupted learning for the past two years with schools being closed for months at a time some think the money might be well spent on helping kids catch up. Teachers have told us the curriculum hasn't changed and they are expected to get the kids caught up and complete the current year's curriculum as well. We asked the board what they were doing to help kids get caught up. "At Trillium Lakelands District School Board we acknowledge and value that each student is on their own path to success." Sinead Fegan, Communications Officer TLDSB told Kawartha 411 News. "Our educators understand the importance of quality instruction that is specific and crucial to each student's needs. In order to achieve School Board Won't Use Any Of Its $2.7 Million Surplus This Year To ... https://www.kawartha411.ca/2021/11/30/school-board-wont-use-any-of-i... 2 of 4 1/6/2022, 3:45 PM