South East Cornerstone School Division's 2010-11 budget reflects students and identified priorities. A budget of $90.1 million was approved by the board for the 2010-11 school year during their monthly meeting on June 17.
Some of the areas the budget focuses on include: the three priorities of assessment, math and early learning; a 21st century digital information system; two major facility projects and eight roof repairs; meeting individual student needs through Response to Intervention; sustainability; and additional resources for communications within the division.
Seven new buses will be added to the fleet, along with information storage and wireless systems for schools, phone and intercom upgrades and instructional technology featuring a content filter to keep students safe on the Internet.
The budget projects a $6.9 million budget surplus which will go toward capital project funding. Currently, capital expenditures are budgeted for $14.75 million, with $13.3 million going toward the Oxbow and Weyburn Comprehensive schools projects and the roof repairs.
The creation of the 2010-11 budget was guided by seven principles, including student success, effective practices, appropriate supports for students, healthy and safe student accommodation, efficient and effective support systems for schools and the division, system sustainability, and data needs.
The school division is also beginning to plan for and manage the increase in projected future student enrolments at some schools.
With MacLeod School in Moosomin currently operating at 107 percent capacity and projected to operate at 117 percent in the fall, a submission will be made to the Ministry of Education for the installation of a relocatable classroom for next year. To be considered for a portable classroom, a school needs to be operating at 110 percent capacity.
The Village of Ogema and its school has nearly doubled its enrolment over the past three years, growing to 97 students from 50.
