The South East Cornerstone Public School Division’s board members met for a general open business session on December 19 in Weyburn.
Board member Harold Laich joined in an online fashion. Trustees Shari Sutter (Estevan) and Elwood White (Subdivision 6) were absent.
Director of education Lynn Little explained that the personnel report was a bit more robust this month since there has been an increase in support employees giving notice that they will be retiring or moving at the conclusion of this calendar year.
She said these notices are generally presented around this time of the year and that there were no alarm bells being sounded since it was considered to be at an acceptable, usual level of movements within the ranks.
During the latter part of the business session, Marilyn Yurkiw, from the financial management side of administration, provided the members with a first-quarter financial picture that indicated most items and areas were on schedule. She pointed out that revenue stood at 22 per cent of the current budget, which was pretty well on target as were the figures on the expense side at 24.9 per cent.
Grant revenue will be less than originally budgeted for based on real enrolment numbers versus the speculated numbers that were used for original budget preparations. But, to counteract that fact, she noted tuition fees will be approximately $190,000 above original budget expectations.
“Fewer capital projects this year also means a lessened call on our line of credit,” Yurkiw said, pointing to another positive aspect of the financial picture.
She reported there had not been any significant capital purchases made within the first fiscal quarter, so that part of the finances was also resting on the positive side.
Financial and business superintendent Shelley Toth provided a brief update on new administrative procedures in relation to school supply lists and maintenance and inspection routines that have been revised.
The next meeting for the Cornerstone school board will be Jan. 16, 2019, in Weyburn.
