Yellowknife (May 20/05) - The public school district has squeaked out another balanced draft budget, despite falling student numbers that are wreaking havoc with its funding.

A handful of people attended a public meeting this week to give input on the draft before it goes before trustees May 24.

Tram Do, director of corporate services for Yk No. 1, unveiled next year's $23 million budget to a small group at Mildred Hall school this week.

The barebones budget for 2005/2006, prepared by Tram Do, the director of corporate services, is based on the 2,017.5 students enroled across the district in September of 2004, down from the 2,059.5 the year before.

"The reality is that the population within our schools is decreasing and actually, the (student) population in Yellowknife is decreasing," said chairperson Reanna Erasmus.

An upcoming study by the department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) may help Yk No. 1 figure out why those numbers are dropping.

In the meantime, the district is hoping its French Revitalization project will pad out enrolment, though the 35 kindergarten-Grade 1 students enroled in the new early immersion program next year won't benefit the district until 2006/2007.

"We knew that there was a population out there interested in early immersion and we have those numbers now," said Erasmus.

Increased enrolment isn't the only perk for the district by increasing French programs. They anticipate $300,000 in federal cash from Heritage Canada thanks to the move.

The budgeted money isn't guaranteed yet, but Erasmus is optimistic.

"From preliminary talks, we're quite confident the money will go through. If it doesn't, we will offer what we can with the dollars that we do have," she said.

That leaves just under $17.5 million in funding from the GNWT to work with, down $200,000 from the year before. The district has a total of over $23 million to spend in 2005/2006.

Almost $16 million of that will be for school programs, while close to $3 million is allotted for inclusive schooling, otherwise known as special needs programming. Maintenance costs for the central office and seven schools is expected to top $2.6 million.

3.75 fewer teachers

Other facets of the budget include 3.75 fewer teachers and 2.5 fewer school counsellors in schools next year. A reallocation of teachers will allow for more aboriginal instructors across the district.

The budget includes an expected surplus of $400,000 next year, a long way off the 5-10 per cent of its operating budget recommended by ECE, but a big improvement on the $1,125,221 deficit that crippled Yk No. 1 just five years ago.

Acting superintendent Ken Dropko, who joined the district within the last month, was happy with the budget, though he called these "tough times" for Yk No. 1.

"It's not the best budget, but it's one that will serve us well as we move forward and who knows what September will bring," he said after the meeting.

The district has until June 30 to submit an approved budget to ECE.