Thanks to an unexpected increase in enrolment for the 2022/2023 school year, Clearview Public Schools is finding themselves in a potential surplus situation, the board heard on Oct. 5.
Enrolment as of Sept. 30 showed 2,364 students registered in Clearview Public Schools, an increase of 73 over 2021/2022 numbers.
According to the meeting highlights released on Oct. 6, “Clearview anticipates seeing some additional dollars” in the current school year thanks to the increased enrolment due to provincial government grants.
Year end reporting for 2021/2022 shows a potential surplus for the last school year instead of the expected deficit already approved.
The Clearview board of trustees is expected to discuss “budget challenges and opportunities” in an upcoming board meeting.
School fee policy
The board is revisiting its fee policy.
Brought in as a cost recovery for “specific optional activities” at schools, the board is wanting to review it to balance the purpose of the policy with the financial needs of families.
The board has sent the policy to the policy committee, which will bring recommendations back to the board.
According to the meeting highlights, the policy was last changed in November 2020.
Exam weighting
Clearview Public Schools trustees learned during their meeting that diploma exams in 2022/2023 will be weighted less than in previous years.
The exams will be weighted at 20 per cent of the student’s final mark, instead of the usual 30 per cent as a way to help them deal with stress and anxiety resulting from post-pandemic learning challenges.
According to the board, the province anticipates returning weighting to 30 per cent in 2023/2024.