THUNDER BAY – The upcoming Lakehead Public Schools budget is a “bigger budget than we’ve ever seen,” says the board’s superintendent of business.
The board’s trustees earlier this week approved the nearly $140 million operating and capital budget, which will be sent to the Ministry of Education for approval.
This budget has increased supports for students to achieve success and well-being, David Wright said on Thursday.
“Sometimes supports is additional staff, sometimes supports is additional resources, sometimes supports is additional supplies,” Wright said. “Really we keep providing more supports for students so they can continue to excel.”
One example is increased English as a second language supports for students new to Canada.
Other initiatives include the reduction of kindergarten class sizes and increasing the number of early childhood educators.
Wright said the board will also be taking advantage of increased provincial funding for additional student support professional positions.
“We never seem to have enough support staff for all of our students so the ministry is making some very positive contributions to that,” Wright said.
The budget also includes supports such as tutors in a cultural environment, graduation coaches, Aboriginal community liaison and partnership officer and Aboriginal resource teacher for Indigenous students.
An emphasis will also be placed on providing healthy food options in secondary schools, with food made from locally and continuing a partnership with Roots to Harvest.
The board’s budget must be submitted to the province by Friday.
