School budget takes a $1.1 million hit
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Updated: September 02, 2009 2:24 PM
More job layoffs in the New Westminster school district are likely as a result of the loss of provincial funding that pays for the upkeep of schools.
Last week the Ministry of Education announced districts around the province would not be receiving annual facilities grants.
For New Westminster that means the district's 2009-2010 budget will take a $1.1 million hit. In previous budgets, half of that grant is spent on district operations and maintenance staff salaries.
The Education Ministry is also recovering facilities grant money that was handed out to districts at the end of June. The 2008-2009 holdback funds New West school district must give back total $45,407.
District secretary treasurer Brian Sommerfeldt said he would be able to determine the actual impact on the operating budget after reviewing it this fall.
On the good news front, the ministry has restored the CommunityLink funding, which pays for programs directed at vulnerable students. New West will receive around $500,000.
mmcquillan@newwestnewsleader.com
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