The Bluewater District School Board is dipping into its reserve funds to assist with the safe re-opening of schools next month.
Board trustees passed a motion at Tuesday’s meeting to authorize staff to access up to two per cent of the board’s operating budget for added costs related to COVID-19 and additional safety measures.
The 2020-21 final budget for the Bluewater District School Board, outlined at a June 30 meeting of the Business Committee of the Whole, included operating expenses of $222-million. That would mean the board could access about $4.4-million.
The school board’s 2020-21 budget did include a $3.5-million contribution to reserves.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced in early August school boards in the province could draw up to two per cent of any accumulated surplus as part of return to school planning, to assist with hiring additional staff where needed or leasing more space to allow for more distancing.
A statement from the Bluewater District School Board explains staff have yet to determine the specifics of how the money will be used, but it will help with various COVID-19 related expenses and practical items to enhance safety measures for students and staff this school year.
“Our reserves are built from trustees’ years of hard work and ongoing mid to long term planning for our schools and facilities”, says Chair Jan Johnstone. “This is not new funding for us, and as a small rural board, we are extremely limited in what we can allocate from our reserves. However, our highest priority right now is ensuring we do all that we can to provide for a safe return to school for our students and staff.”
The Bluewater District School Board accumulates financial reserves over several years to provide a safety net for addressing any urgent needs as they arise. According to a release, typically the board uses these funds for unexpected repairs, building maintenance and other unanticipated purposes for local schools and facilities.