On March 23rd, the provincial government tabled its 2006 Budget and many across the province listened intently for signs of any impact on their sectors. Those of us in the Upper Grand Board were no different; we wanted to see where the McGuinty government would be taking public education.

Well, we got a very clear message from the Budget speech; it's all about "maintenance" of the status quo. That means there was nothing said about a number of outstanding concerns that we have that affect our schools.

The 2005 Budget had targeted $777 million for education, the amount promised in the multi-year plan. The 2006 Budget and allocation to education has recognized additional cost pressures and collective agreement costs and has allocated $424 million to education, an amount in excess of the 2004 multi-year plan that represents approximately a 2.5% increase over last year.

The Budget contained a great deal of information about what has been done over the past year. For example, reducing the number of students in JK to Grade 3 classes to 20, more teachers for Phys. Ed., Music and AtRisk programs, money allocated for text and library books, and funds to support improving literacy. All of these are very valuable and meaningful expenditures that we, as a Board, support as essential to student success.

However, there were many unanswered questions in the Budget. Let me highlight three that affect the schools and students of Upper Grand. First, the disagreement with the federal government over the support of day care has cost us dearly. While the McGuinty government did commit to spending $63 million over the next 4 years to support the Best Start program, this is far short of what we had been led to believe would be allocated to this program. At the March Operations Committee meeting, the Board approved, in principle, a joint project with the County of Dufferin to build a Best Start centre at the new Island Lake P.S.. This and other similar projects around the Board may now be in jeopardy without the anticipated level of funding support.

Secondly, the continuing under funding of both pupil transportation and special education was not addressed in this Budget. Our students continue to have the longest walking distances allowed by regulation while we, as a Board, spend $1.8 million more than allocated. In special education, our needs continue to grow, despite the fact that we spend millions more than allocated by the province. At a recent gathering of the provincial trustees' association, Minister Kennedy promised funding relief for both these areas "in the near future". But this budget did not deliver any support in these critical areas.

Finally, in an effort to support its "Learning to 18" initiative, the McGuinty government created a fund of some $45 million to support "challenged youth". As a Board, we need to see how this money will translate into more resources (i.e., people and materials) to support keeping students in school longer.

We will still need the grant regulations and other details before a full analysis and impacts can be accurately assessed. However, this Budget gives us a good indication of the government's priorities and direction; but leaves too many unanswered questions in public education.We hope the weeks and months ahead will provide us some clearer answers.

Contact Information: Should you wish to contact Bob Borden, UGDSB Trustee and Chair of the Board, you can do so by phone (home office940-0279; Guelph office519-822-4420, ext. 735) or e-mail at bob.borden@ugdsb.on.ca. Also, you can visit the Board's web site at www.ugdsb.on.ca and read the highlights of each Board meeting.