School Board Funding Increases in 2009-10

EDUCATION-School Board Funding Increases in 2009-10

School boards across Nova Scotia will get $44.8 million more in funding this year, the Department of Education announced today, April 16.

"Our eight school boards advocated strongly for a significant funding increase in 2009-10, and we are providing it," said Education Minister Judy Streatch. "These additional funds will allow boards to maintain programming and pay their bills during tough economic times. We value their partnership as we move forward in challenging times."

This year's increase in funding includes $15.9 million in salary costs incurred by boards last year and added to their base, plus an additional $28.9 million to meet salary and operational requirements for 2009-10.

"This increase is being given in a difficult economy and during a period of significant enrolment decline. It shows government's commitment to a high-quality education system," said Ms. Streatch.

The Department of Education provided school boards with funding details at a meeting of superintendents on April 9. As promised by Premier Rodney MacDonald, the eight boards are receiving funding notification before the provincial budget is tabled. The House resumes on April 30, and a budget is expected in early May. This allows boards to make staffing decisions for the next school year before the end of April.

"We said we would give the boards this information in time for them to plan for the coming school year," Ms. Streatch said. "That is why we have taken this extraordinary step."

The Nova Scotia School Boards Association welcomed the funding increase.

"We are pleased that government has recognized the importance of continuing to invest in our education system, given all indications that this will be a tough budget year," said Ron Marks, president of the Nova Scotia School Boards Association. "And while school boards will continue to be challenged to balance their budgets, having this information early enough to plan is very helpful."

The province also announced today it will:

• purchase 68 new buses for school boards at a cost of $5.5 million
• add $2.4 million to the teachers' pension plan
• pay $3.9 million in medical insurance premiums for teachers
• hold in reserve, funds to pay for unsettled union contracts

This is in addition to the $307-million school construction and renovation program that was unveiled on Tuesday, April 14. Under the program, the province will build eight new schools and renovate 41 others.