Trustees approve $560-M budget at public board Ï By Dominik Kurek METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP Halton District School Board trustees approved an operating budget of $560 mil- lion for the 2011-12 school year Wednesday The budget also included another $66 million for capital expenses for the upcom- ing school year. According to staff, about 80 per cent of the board's operating budget is used for salaries and benefits. The Provinces Ministry of Education pays for about 99 per cent of the budget, while the remainder comes from other revenue sources. The budget includes 136 new staff posi- tions, as a result of an increase in pupils to more than 54,000 next year, compared to just funder 53,000 this year. The approved budget includes a $5.6 mil- lion accumulated surplus (reserves) and $370,000 as a contingency, to be used in the upcoming school vear on unforescen costs. Some of the budget highlights include 10 additional full-time equivalent (FTE) posi- tions in the areas of itinerant learning dis- abled teacher, instructional program leader, gifted teacher, three special education ele- mentary teachers for self-contained classes, two food school educational assistants and two child and youth counsellors. Other additions include occupational therapist support, an Aboriginal Liaison Officer and other hirings, along with pro- gram and software purchases. There has also been a removal in FTE positions in other areas, such as secondary teachers from holdback, one itinerant gifted teacher and an FSL system principal moving down to a half-time position, among other items. Trustees also approved a last-minute amendment to the budget at the meeting, opting to make the Gay Straight Alliance equity facilitator a full-time position com- pared to its current half-time post. Prior to the upcoming year, the position was subsi- dized by an outside organization. Since then that funding has stopped. Milton trustee Donna Danielli asked fel- low trustees to approve the addition, saying this was a role for more than a half-time posi- tion. She said since the budget has gone pub- lic, she has received calls from concerned staff and parents over the issue. "This is not a part-time position," she said. "The GSA co-ordinator supports some of our most vulnerable students and their families. I have received a number of emails from families about how much of a differ- ence this has made." She said homophobic name-calling is the number one form of harassment and bully- ing in schools. "We currently have a full-time GSA co- ordinator. This role involves so much more than GSAs at the secondary level. It involves working in classes fromJK to 12." She said the person leads provides resources, anti-bully with students and much more. "The GSA co-ordinator als board's exposure to lawsuits b and responding to human right tions," she added. As a result of the request Budget includesfundingfor 136 new staff positions Indech Law Chambers helps you bring peace of mind for you and your loved ones." Will, Power of Attorney &Living Will $34999 Prie is per person and plus tax. Disbursements ex a. Prke only apples to standard wilt discussions, amended the budget by approving to fund ing sessions the position for another year as a ful-cime o limits the position, with an added cost of $30,000, y identifying which was taken frôm the $400000 contin s code viola- gency budget. The contingency budget was brought i the board down to $370,000 as a result of the decision. r ],-tâu "i INDECH c LAW CHAMBE RS "When it comes to your money and property, planning ahead is the best way to ensure that your estate is taken care of. Wills & Estate Planning at Offering Servi(es in: ýV111s and Estate Planning, Residential Real Estate and Mortgage R,ýfinancinq Free Nlobile Servi(e Piailable 2,51 Main St. L, Suite 203 Milion Pliolle (905) 636-8890 _,w4 A F