August 29, 2005
Burnaby Students to Benefit from $150 Million Boost in Funding
Burnaby
– As a result of a $6.2 million boost in funding, announced by the BC Government in January, the
Burnaby
School District is expected to hire 97 teachers and educators in order to improve services for students with special needs, and increase school library services and music and arts programs.
“As our government has made it the goal for
British Columbia to be the most literate and best educated jurisdiction in North America, this extra funding will help us reach this target,” said Harry Bloy, MLA for Burquitlam. “With this investment and per pupil funding at record levels, the future looks bright for our students.”
Burnaby
School District
41 is receiving $6,267,969 as their share of the $150 million increase to provincial education funding for the 2005/2006 budget year, announced in January.
As outlined in a plan to the Ministry of Education, the district identified further enhancements towards services and supports for students with special needs, music and arts programs and libraries and learning resources. Burnaby School District has historically maintained a high level of resources committed to the priority areas identified by the Ministry of Education.
Enhancements for students will include:
School libraries and learning resources:
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Additional teacher librarians (elementary and secondary).
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Increased learning resources.
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Year 2 implementation of an automated library system for all schools in the district.
Improved services to support students with special needs:
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Additional Resource, Special Education and Advanced Learning teachers.
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Additional school-based counsellors.
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Additional Education Assistants.
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Increased staff development.
Music and arts programs:
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Additional elementary band teachers.
The total preliminary budget additions for the 2005/06 school year total $4.9 million. Once actual enrolment is finalized, the Burnaby School District will reassess the operating budget and make further adjustments, as appropriate.
This year, school district operating budgets will total more than $4.027 billion – the highest ever. Since 2000/01, the Province has increased funding to B.C. public schools by nearly $460 million: $305 million in annual district operating grants and $153 million in special, one-time grants. At the same time there are 30,000 fewer students in public schools, school boards are hiring an additional 1,600 staff.
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