Betsy Kline
Castlegar News
Even as it grapples with finding several hundred thousand dollars in savings for next year, School District 20 is on track with its 2014/15 budget.
Secretary-treasurer Natalie Verigin told the board Monday that they will have sufficient funds for the year with the possibility of a small surplus.
In other financial matters, it appears that the new funding formula the province will be using next year will benefit SD20, albeit only slightly at just over $100,000.
Trustees donate to defibrillator campaign
In support of the district’s ongoing campaign to raise funds to install automated external defibrillators the board voted to donate their own personal funds towards the purchase of one of the $1,350 units.
The goal is to have enough donations to install the devices at all 14 work sites in the district.
Commitments to secure four defibrillators have already been made including corporate donations from Teck Metals, Columbia Power Corporation, the Kootenay Columbia Teachers Union, Regional District of Central Kootenay, Area I.
Several parent advisory committees are also on board. Teachers Union president and Area I director Andy Davidoff also supports the program.
During question time Monday, he volunteered to do some of the leg work to solicit donations. Private as well as corporate donations are welcome. Inquiries can be made through the secretary-treasurer.
French immersion enrollment rises
The kindergarten registration report for next year showed that the new early French immersion program at Twin Rivers Elementary is popular as the program is full.
However, it seems this may have impacted the Russian bilingual Kindergarten as enrolment is down to only nine students.
City council to meet at high school
As a follow up to an idea brought forward by Castlegar city council at a previous meeting, the board voted to allow council to meet at Stanley Humphries Secondary School in an effort to engage youth in the community.