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School Board briefs Yk1 adds to operating surplus Svjetlana Mlinarevic Northern News Services Published Wednesday, Sept 19, 2012
The district also reported a balance of $21.8 million in accumulative assets, a fall from $22.1 million last year, due to the $1.9 million amortization of school buildings. The district spent approximately 65 per cent of its budget on school programs this year with 17.8 per cent going to inclusive schooling and 9.7 per cent for operations and maintenance. The rest of the budget was spent on accommodations for teachers, aboriginal languages and culture, and admissions. "We're pleased with the audit," said Tram Do, director of corporate services. "Overall, we're in a very healthy financial situation." French program to be tested Jean-Marie Mariez, supervisor of instruction for Yk1's French program, announced to the board that Grade 11 and 12 immersion students will be taking the Educational Testing Service (ETS) - Canada's international French proficiency test on Sept. 19. The test will measure the students' listening and reading comprehension skills and will provide them with language certification. To be certified, students will answer up to 220 questions during a two-and-a-half hour exam. Students from 26 other countries will also take the test the same day. "It'll be exciting to see how our students stack up with other students in the world," said John Stephenson, vice-chairperson. Test results will be released in October. Trustee decides not to run Trustee Duff Spence announced to the board on Tuesday that he will not run in the upcoming election because he has "decided to be a more focused husband and father." The former chair joined the board nine years ago because he felt the previous board "was a dysfunctional, ineffective group with over a million dollar deficit, no credibility with parents, staff, nor the community." Spence noted the current board increased funding for literacy and math coaches, professional learning and development for teachers, and made "data driven decisions." The board was disappointed to see Spence go with Allan Shortt joking during the course of the meeting that Spence's announcement made him overlook a large section of the agenda. Upgrades to school technology J.H. Sissons and Range Lake North schools received 25 new teacher laptops in 2011-2012, with Range Lake North School getting a 25 tablet lab as well. The district will also receive seven primary and nine secondary Xerox photocopier/printer/scanner units. The new units are more efficient and cost-effective than previous models. The board was also informed that all virtual servers and desktops will be upgraded.
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