The Coast Mountains School District (CMSD) is projecting a $970,000 deficit next school year, with $58.393 million estimated in revenue, $661,000 allocated from surplus last year, and $60.025 million in expenses.
Maintenance and renos
The CMSD received $1,515,315 from the Ministry of Education for its annual facility grant. The money will pay for general repairs and maintenance projects, as well as renovations to create multi-use space at Caledonia Secondary School, to renovate a maintenance department office at Hazelton Secondary, and to replace the theatre stage floor at Mount Elizabeth Middle/Secondary School in Kitimat.
Bus ride safety
In response to a situation earlier this year, the CMSD established a working group and revised its transportation regulation to say that bus drivers can remove a student from a bus only when their behaviour is jeopardizing the safety of others. A bus driver can also refuse to allow a student to board.
Aboriginal special hires
The CMSD renewed a five-year Aboriginal Special Program Status agreement with the BC Human Rights Tribunal that allows them to give hiring preference for 1.31-positions to people with Aboriginal ancestry and intimate knowledge of local First Nations language and culture.
Employee protection
CMSD clarified its employee protection with the first reading of a revised indemnification bylaw. The bylaw, previously more general, now says the board will support its employees “from any civil action or proceeding brought against [them] which arises, wholly or partly, from the lawful performance of his/her duties.” Protection and costs for legal defence is also promised when lawsuits come against employees doing things “reasonably believed to be lawful.”
