School District 71 is facing a funding shortfall of just over $1.1 million — making cutbacks likely.Although this shortfall is not as large as the estimated $1.2 to $1.7 million shortfall SD71 director of finance Ron Amos said was possible at April’s school board meeting, the $1.1 million shortfall has prompted the finance committee to suggest cutbacks.The proposed operating budget is “laying out our plan to make reductions to offset that shortfall,” said SD71 secretary treasurer Russell Horswill, adding the budget will come before the Board of Education Tuesday.Ten per cent reductions to field trip budgets, course fees and supply budgets, and a five-per-cent reduction to library resources are some suggested cuts.Some suggested staffing cuts include: half a full-time equivalent (FTE) daily physical activity position, 2.5 FTE education assistants, half of a FTE challenge program position, one daytime custodial position, and a journeyman carpenter position, along with a reduction of two groundskeeping positions from 12 months per year to eight months per year.Horswill noted seven FTE teaching positions have already been cut based on the projected enrolment numbers, so do not show up in these suggested cuts.According to the proposed operating budget, these reductions add up to $752,500 saved, which means the district would also have to use about $362,000 of its $2.4-million operating reserve to obtain a balanced budget.Declining enrolment is one reason for the shortfall. Full-day kindergarten added about 250 FTE over the past two years while it was being implemented, but now that it’s fully operational within the district, the full effect of the enrolment decline is being felt.Also, funding protection — which ensured districts received the same funding as the previous year regardless of enrolment levels — has been also reduced, and this year the district will receive 98.5 per cent of the previous year’s funding.Funding to courses for graduated adults from the Education Guarantee was also eliminated this year, making total funding from the Education Guarantee about $300,000. Last year, the district received about $950,000 from the Education Guarantee.The district does expect to receive about $900,000 from the new Learning Improvement Fund.The proposed 2012/13 budget will come up Tuesday for a vote. Horswill noted public consultation and consultation with partner groups is now complete.The Board of Education meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the School Board offices at 607 Cumberland Rd. in Courtenay. writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Comox Valley Record