French Catholic board balances budget

The Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO) passed a balanced 2013-2014 budget worth nearly $119 million at its June 26 meeting.

This budget includes an increase of 1.3 per cent, or $1.5 million, as compared to the previous school year.

It's based on a 1.1 per cent enrolment decline for 2013-2014, as well as on the expenses related to the implementation of the new Full-Day Early Learning – Kindergarten Program.

To meet the requirements of the Full-Day Early Learning – Kindergarten Program, the school board expects to hire nine additional early childhood educators for the upcoming school year.

As parts of its ongoing efforts to actively contribute to student success, the CSCNO will maintain the present level of investment in school budgets and will dedicate 71 per cent of its expenses directly to classrooms.

“All board decisions, including budgetary ones, are made in the best interests of our students and communities,” said CSCNO president Marcel Montpellier, in a press release.

“As in previous years, the Conseil’s priority is to maintain the essential services and investments that contribute directly to the success of our students.

“We are confident that this budget will meet the needs and expectations of our school communities and will enable the noard to continue to provide a quality French-language Catholic education.”