ADSBAlgoma District School Board trustees approved the board’s 2015-16 budget.  The 145.9 million dollar balanced budget includes a draw from reserves of 1.6 million dollars, but the total accumulated surplus currently sits at 10.4 million.  Superintendent of Business Joe Santa Maria credits prudent budgeting for coming improvements that include technology in the classroom…

The budget will also include 13 million dollars in Capital Improvements, such as Child Care, School Renewal and School Condition Improvements.  A number of programs including the Early Learning Kindergarten Program and support for the Board Improvement Plan, which involves Character Education and Safe Schools.  The budget for the 2015-16 school year comes with a one million dollar shortfall for Special Education.  Santa Maria says funding for special education is a challenge for all school boards across the province and the ADSB is no different…

When asked if this would be a trend for special education funding in future years, Santa Maria answered that a responsible budget was established by board staff given the challenges in Ontario.  He added that the public board has to do its part in the community and in the province for education.   As the board will work to enhance technology in the classroom and improve school buildings and grounds, there is still a threat of labour unrest for all school boards this September.  Santa Maria was asked the question of whether labour issues could affect the budget and he gave a surprising response…

It was reported on Tuesday that tensions between Ontario elementary teachers and school boards were ramped up with the boards putting a $3.2-billion figure on teacher contract demands.  It was also reported last month that the union representing Ontario English Catholic teachers warned its members of a possible strike in the fall.