School Budget Already Spoken For

School District 83 passed their 2008-09 budget of over $63 million.  But Secretary/Treasurer Bruce Hunt said although it is a lot of money, most of it is already spoken for...

"The District is 89% of what we spend is directly on salaries. It is a people business."

That is, $61 million goes to salaries, the transportation budget is over $3 million; the special education or student services budget is $9.7 million.

The Board nixed the idea of charging bus fees but Enderby Chris Coers said the issue could come back at a future budget.

This year there was a $360,000 shortfall. Hunt said next year they are expecting a $500,000 shortfall. School closure will be an item on next year's budget discussions.

Bob Crouse Astral Media Radio News, Salmon Arm