Your news this week: Transportation issues top priority - pg. 3 Andrew Figure Skating Carnival - pg. 7 Kalyna Highlights Concert - pg. 10
Read us online at www.lamontleader.com twitter.com/lamontleader
17 Tuesday, March8,19, 2013 Vol. 7, Vol. No. 8, 2,No. Tuesday, November 2011
Elk Island grappling with massive funding cuts Public school division forced to chop more than $4 million from its 2013 budget Michelle Pinon Editor Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) will be facing some tough decisions following last week's provincial government 2013 budget announcment that will include cuts to programs and services. Scott McFadyen, chief financial officer and secretary-treasurer for EIPS, confirmed the division will be losing millions of dollars. All totalled, they will have to chop over $4 million from the 2013 budget to offset the cost cutting measures. In particular, EIPS will have to slash 10 per cent from board and system administration, and 20
per cent from Infrastructure and Maintenance Renewal as well as plant operations. Back on September 1st, McFadyen said there were cuts to the Alberta Initiation for School Implementation (AISI) Program as well as a fuel price contingency program. Given the fact that many contractors had already signed on and programs already put in place, McFadyen said they still have to fund those commitments which are in the neighbourhood of $1.7 million. "The timing of these grant eliminations will be problematic as they are occurring mid-year and have already been factored into the divi-
sion's 2012/13 budget. "The 2012 government funding provided to EIPS will not be enough to maintain existing service levels, not to mention our ability to cover rising costs due to inflation." McFadyen reiterated the division is planning to use remaining reserves, strong fiscal management, and seek out cost efficiencies to minimize the impact on school budgets. "EIPS will continue to analyze the impacts of the provincial budget on its staff and students, including specific programs and services that may be affected, in the weeks and months ahead. The division will
continue to share information with its leadership and the community as it becomes available." Colleen Lophushinsky, vice-chair of the board, stated: "This provincial education budget represents tremendous challenges for EIPS. Decreased funding will require us to make difficult decisions using the limited resources we have, but we will work to maintain an excellent public education system for our students, staff, and community." Jacquie Fenske, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA, said the provincial government is providing over $50 million to boards to complete the school year, however the
AISI and fuel subsidies end April 1." She also pointed out that the 2013 budget fully funds enrollment, maintains base grants and increases funding to reduce class size and support inclusive education. "Even with a slight increase in the overall budget for education, some school boards are receiving less than last year. Thirty-seven boards saw a decrease in funding (max. was -2.5 per cent), with 27 seeing more money (max. was +5.2 per cent). All driven by enrollement." "Boards have also been asked to take a hard look at administrative spending and reduce by 10 per cent. As a ministry,
Alberta Education led by example and reduced department spending by 15 per cent." Fifty-one positions were eliminated, and the budget was cut by $18.5 million, added Fenske. "School boards should also get together to evaluate bus routes and find opportunities to transport students from both boards and avoid overlap. Those would be some examples that I'm sure boards will be exploring." Fenske concluded her remarks by stating: "Not an easy budget for anyone, but every effort was made to ensure the limited funds go to the classroom. Boards need to do the same."
MICHELLE PINON PHOTO
The Lamont Figure Skating Club held its annual carnival March 17. The theme was Broadway and there will be more photos and coverage in the March 26 issue.