Costly playoffs
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Policing bill rises with a lengthy run by Canucks
Half a century BMO celebrates a milestone in Tsaw.
12
Back in court
Judge to determine if officer stands trial
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Optimist
Cup runs continue
Soccer teams advance to Coastal semi-finals
Benefit concert
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SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
Another big deficit for board School trustees propose to cut 19 positions as they grapple with $3.49 million shortfall BY
SANDOR GYARMATI
sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com
The Delta school board is proposing to cut almost 19 full-time positions in its latest budget. The district announced this week it’s facing a shortfall of $3.49 million, the result of several factors, including pension and other benefit increases, reduced income investment and inflationary pressures. While the Ministry of
Education’s per student funding increased slightly for the 2011/12 school year, it’s not sufficient to keep pace with rising costs, according to the district. The student population is once again expected to decline throughout grades 1 to 12, which will be partially offset by the introduction of full-day kindergarten throughout Delta in September. The district is proposing to slash $2.82 million from the budget and dip into reserves for the
remainder to balance the books. Twelve teaching positions and almost seven support staff positions are to be cut, reductions the district notes will make it increasingly more difficult to minimize impacts on the classroom. “Last year we balanced our budget by making significant cuts and reducing services after having closed schools the previous year,” said board chair Dale Saip. “It is concerning that a year later we are facing the very same
challenges. We will continue to do everything we can to provide the best education for Delta students and at the same time, I will personally be urging the minister of education to address the systematic funding issues that puts us in the same position year after year.” Last year, to make up a $4 million shortfall, the board agreed to make $3.1 million in cuts and dip into reserves for the rest.
Dale Saip Board chair
See BUDGET page 3
Hodgins is given OK to submit proposal
Digging for water!
BY
SANDOR GYARMATI
sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com
PHOTO BY
CHUNG CHOW
Civic officials joined members of the Tsawwassen Rotary Club Thursday morning for a groundbreaking ceremony for Rotary Water Works at Diefenbaker Park. The children’s waterpark is scheduled to open in early summer.
Century Group president Sean Hodgins has been given the goahead to come up with a new proposal for the Southlands. At the resumption of a public hearing on the Tsawwassen Area Plan at the South Delta Recreation Centre Thursday, Delta council did the expected and unanimously voted in favour of terminating the hearing. The most controversial part of the area plan was a recommendation Delta apply to the Agricultural Land Commission to have the Southlands placed back in the Agricultural Land Reserve. The hearing on that part of the plan was into its fourth night last month when Mayor Lois Jackson, saying it was clear there was no See SOUTHLANDS page 4
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