TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2012
www.pqbnews.com
Official newspaper of the Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals
DAY IN THE LIFE
GENERALS DIGGING DEEP
Pullout section from Qualicum Beach photographers
Junior B hockey team in a must-win situation
C1
A21
EDUCATION
Money problem
Schools facing deficit; being paid for students that don’t exist BRENDA GOUGH
reporter@pqbnews.com
Facing a decline in enrolment and less money from the provincial government, School District 69 (Qualicum) administrative staff admitted they are going to have to get creative when it comes to next year’s budget. At a budget information session February 22 at Springwood Middle School SecretaryTreasurer BerWe get money for students nice Hannam we don’t have ... but is presented the funding protection figures the sustainable? district has to BERNICE HANNAM work with and the bottom line is when the budget is tabled in April — it won’t be balanced. Assistant Superintendent Rollie Koop told a sparsely-attended public meeting that enrolment projections determine the level of staffing and most school districts in the province are experiencing declining enrolment. He said in School District 69 it is projected that there will be 143 fewer students attending classes in September 2012. He explained it will be a big challenge to stretch their funding dollars and they will have to come up with some new ideas to lessen the impact on students and teachers. See SCHOOL PROGRAMS, page A4
NEIL HORNER PHOTO
RECOVERING FROM ATTACK: Danielle Bluestone and Sasha are grateful to the community for its help following a dog attack Feb. 21 that left both Bluestone and her own dog injured. See page A4.
Thieves didn’t find their quarry
Break in at the Red Gap Quality Foods captured on video cameras NEIL HORNER
and out very quickly, apparently not finding what they were after. The RCMP Forensic Identification Section from Port Thieves struck at the Quality Foods store at the Red Gap Alberni is assisting in the investigation. Video surveillance in Nanoose Bay Friday morning, Feb. 24. RCMP Sergeant of the area showed two male suspects with black hoodies Darrell Robertson reported that police covering their faces, wearing jeans, one Add your COMMENTS at were called to the store at approxiwearing a light coloured baseball cap, www.pqbnews.com mately 3:30 a.m. further descriptors are not available. Upon arrival at the scene, police From the actions of the suspects pofound the front glass doors had been smashed, allowing en- lice believe that they may have been after cigarettes, which try to the store. Displays were knocked over. Robertson said were not readily available. Police are looking for a red early the police investigation indicates that the suspects were in to mid 1990s Dodge Caravan.
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