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Board makes budget cuts to maintenance funding, raises user-fees
By
Intern reporter
Cuts to maintenance services and sharp increases in user-fees are among the highlights of the Foothills School Division's (FSD) new 2003-2004 budget, released last week at the school board's final meeting of the school year.
While Drew Chipman, secretary-treasurer of FSD, called the balanced, final draft a 'good news budget,' other members of the board were not as optimistic.
'We don't pass this easily,' said Okotoks trustee Lori Czerwinski, pointing to the lack of funding in the operations and maintenance (O&M) department as a serious challenge for the division. 'We're struggling with that and we're waiting for some relief, because it's not an acceptable budget.'
Funding for O&M services, contracts and supplies were reduced by close to $700,000 from last year. Included in the cuts are contracted services, cut by $200,000, and contracted custodial services, reduced by 11 percent ($160,000) from last year's budget.
According to the budget, funding for contracted services 'leaves only enough to do the absolute essentials', such as roof repairs, elevator repairs, pest control and other necessary services as they arise. Reduced custodial staff will have time to fulfill 'only the basic custodial requirements.'
Cuts were already made last month to several maintenance services, from the elimination of repairs to parking lots, playing fields and playgrounds to the termination of painting projects, after-hours ventilation and snow removal.
As trustee Graham Sewell explained, the division has no funding reserves and is depending upon additional funding promised by the provincial government earlier this month.
While figures have not been released, Superintendent Jim McLellan warned that a significant increase in funding is necessary to help the division recover from cuts outlined in the budget.
'Without some relief it's going to be an incredible challenge next year,' he said.
Chipman agreed that the inability of the provincial government to keep up with increased utility costs is to blame for the further reduction in services, but said he remained confident that additional provincial funding – the amount is expected to be announced next week – would provide relief.
'We're hopeful that we'll be able to put the funding back in there as soon as it's announced,' he said.
In the meantime, the division will be able to rely on user-fees as an increased source of revenue.
The Reciprocal Use of Indoor Facilities Agreement, with the Town of Okotoks and Christ the Redeemer School Division, was passed at the FSD's final meeting, increasing annual user-fees for community groups by as much as $15,000.
While Chipman acknowledged the agreement has faced harsh criticism from community groups, he stressed that the increased fee will help make up for funding shortfalls.
'It helps us cover the costs we haven't currently been funding,' he said, noting that it's unfortunate that school divisions don't have the funding to subsidize such programs. 'The good news is that we're now able to inject some more expenditures into the classroom.'
That, said Chipman, is why the budget will ultimately be a success.
'The board has been committed to making sure that the optimal amount of money is set aside for the kids,' he said. 'This budget does that.'
Muddy Waters
A steer wrestler gets down and dirty at the Guy Weadick Memorial Rodeo in High River on Sunday. The rodeo completed all three days despite the wet weather. Complete results in Sports section.
- photo by John Barlow
Extensive search finds lost woman
By
Staff reporter
A Calgary woman reported missing a week ago by her husband was found in Kananaskis Country west of Turner Valley last Saturday.
Cindy Pock, 43, was emotionally distraught and suffering from slight hypothermia when she was found by searchers June 21.
Turner Valley RCMP called in the Foothills Search and Rescue team, park rangers, and RCMP search dogs from Calgary when the women's blue Chevy Lumina was found near the Sheep River ranger's station Friday night.
After searching for the woman overnight, Calgary Search and Rescue and a search helicopter from Edmonton were called in.
Sgt. Tyler Bray of the Turner Valley RCMP said weather conditions, including rain and hail were becoming a concern.
Pock was found Saturday afternoon at approximately 1 pm at a spot known as Death Valley Loop — three kilometres from her vehicle. She was taken by RCMP helicopter to Oilfields Hospital to be treated for hypothermia.
Bray said the search cost the local detachment over $5,000.
Current Weather in Okotoks
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 Resident pleased with new beepers See News  Locals dominate at High River rodeo See this weeks' printed edition |
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