{"id":10419,"date":"2018-04-26T19:08:12","date_gmt":"2018-04-26T23:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newwestschools.ca\/archive_241212\/?p=10419"},"modified":"2018-05-02T11:29:29","modified_gmt":"2018-05-02T15:29:29","slug":"board-approves-good-news-budget-investing-1-2-million-in-student-learning-resources","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newwestschools.ca\/archive_241212\/board-approves-good-news-budget-investing-1-2-million-in-student-learning-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Board approves “good news budget” investing $1.2 million in student learning"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>April 26, 2018<\/em> – The New Westminster Schools Board of Education this week adopted a $79.5 million annual budget for 2018-2019 that puts $1.2 million worth of innovative programs and supports in district schools.<\/p>\n

The new budget represents “an incredibly important set of investments in learning,” that will mean more classroom resources, improved student nutrition and food access, strengthened supports for educators, innovative initiatives in personalized learning and more, said Board Chair Mark Gifford.<\/p>\n

That adds up to a good news budget and a big moment for New Westminster Schools, said Gifford.<\/p>\n

A total of $1.2 million in unrestricted (unallocated) surplus accumulated from the 2017 fiscal year end will be targeted to enhancing a host of strategic educational priorities and initiatives \u2013 from ‘leveled’ reading books and digital literacy resources to teacher mentoring, student peer support programs, and far-reaching mental health education initiatives.<\/p>\n

The $79.5 million budget is based on government per-student allocation formulas and student enrollment projections, with about 90 percent of the district’s operating budget directed to salary and benefit expenses.<\/p>\n

The $1.2 million investment in learning resources is over and above what is already allocated, a significant infusion of money for the district that trustees called “really exciting.”\u00a0\u00a0A strengthened focus on\u00a0financial health and operational systems has positioned the district to make these investments.<\/p>\n

\n\"\"<\/a>\n

Teams of teachers work together to bring innovation and creativity in the classroom to better support student learning, thanks to the Innovation Grants program…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/h2>\n
\n

Supporting creative and imaginative initiatives across the district…<\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>
New Westminster Schools Board of Education<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Anticipating a surplus earlier this year, the Board invited senior management to identify key learning and resource budget priorities as educators in the district implement BC’s Redesigned Curriculum.<\/a><\/p>\n

Management recommendations build on key education priorities outlined in the Board-commissioned report,Teaching and Learning in Diverse Classrooms: A District Blueprint for Learner Success <\/a>(March 2017).<\/p>\n

The $1.2 million investment will support a range of priorities,<\/a> including:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n