YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 public school board is projecting a minor deficit in 2017-18, amounting to less than one per cent of its approximately $35-million budget.

But the school board says that will have no negative impact on its ability to offer programming next school year.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e in very good financial shape,SA国际影视传媒� said Terry Brookes, trustee for Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (Yk1). SA国际影视传媒淭hat comes from just having good staff to manage the funds and reserve system.SA国际影视传媒�

Brookes presented the draft budget during a public meeting at the district office last Wednesday night.

The draft budget amounts to $35.6 million. Revenues are expected to come in at about $35.3 million, with expenses pegged at $35.6 million, which leaves a deficit of $300,000.

Brookes said Yk1 tends to budget conservatively. After 20 years at the school board, he expects the deficit could come in even lower than $300,000 in the end.

SA国际影视传媒淎 budget is just an estimate,SA国际影视传媒� Brookes said. SA国际影视传媒淲e make the best guess with the information we have.SA国际影视传媒�

Tram Do, director of corporate services at Yk1, added the school board errs on the side of caution so SA国际影视传媒渋f things are favourable, you come in better than what you estimated.SA国际影视传媒�

Yk1 maintains a reserve fund that can be used in emergencies or when unexpected expenses come up.

It has decreased slightly over the last few years and the school board will have to dip into again to cover its costs in 2017-18. But Do said the fund will remain within a healthy range.

According to her, an audit recommended Yk1 maintain a reserve of three to five per cent of its total revenues, which amounts to between $1 million to $1.7 million.

SA国际影视传媒淲e still have a savings of over a million dollars,SA国际影视传媒� Do said. SA国际影视传媒淲e have a sizeable surplus remaining to buffer emerging issues that may arise throughout the year.SA国际影视传媒�

Because the school board is using its savings, there will be no negative consequences on school programming.

SA国际影视传媒淚n order to maintain the small class sizes and maintain our programs and so on, we are looking at using a small about of the reserve,SA国际影视传媒� superintendent Metro Huculak said. SA国际影视传媒淥verall, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 absolutely no reduction (in programming).SA国际影视传媒�

BREAKER: Preparing for junior kindergarten

The school board is budgeting for nine junior kindergarten classes next year, based on an estimated enrolment of 144 students.

Yk1 expects to add nine early childhood instructors and nine early childhood assistants this year to its staff as a result, according to draft budget documents.

Four more full-time equivalent program support teachers will be hired to support students with special needs, while one full-time equivalent education assistant position will disappear.

School boards and MLAs have been calling for an increase to inclusive schooling and aboriginal language funding with the introduction of junior kindergarten next year, but Huculak told Yellowknifer there havenSA国际影视传媒檛 been any changes yet.

The school board has until its board meeting on May 9 to incorporate any public feedback and approve its budget.

It is then presented to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment on June 30.