The Hanover School Division has passed its budget for the upcoming school year. The division expects enrollment to increase by 2.5 percent in September, which equals approximately 204 new students.

This time, the budget process took into account extensive consultation with the community, including parents, guardians, division employees, and residents. Earlier this year, they launched a community-wide survey to ask people how they felt about the way the division allocated its finances.

“Over 1,200 constituents participated in the online survey, providing the board with guidance in the budget planning process,” reads a statement from the Hanover School Division. “In response to the feedback received, the board has responded by prioritizing funding for frontline support services.”

These frontline supports will come in the form of several new positions throughout the school division. The 2020–21 school year will see the introduction of 15 new educational assistants, five guidance counsellors, several learning support teachers, as well as an additional social worker, learning support teacher, youth social worker, and school liaison.

“The new positions will be funded through budget reallocation and the use of divisional surplus,” says HSD. “The 2020–21 budget will also meet the needs of projected enrollment growth with the addition of 12 classroom teachers.”

With the increase in enrolment and new jobs created, the division’s expenditures will also rise, bringing operating expenses to an estimated $94.3 million. This is an increase of 2.7 percent over last year, with provincial funding increasing by 2.1 percent. The average homeowner will see no school levy increase on their property taxes, for the third consecutive year.

“The board of trustees worked diligently to find budget cost savings while balancing the educational needs of students. Administration expenses and educational costs, per student, remain among the lowest in the province.”