Eagles up 2-0 in BCHL final page 21
Riding-by-riding election coverage begins this issue pages 8-9
Tuesday April 16, 2013
Serving Surrey and North Delta www.surreyleader.com
Delta schools face $3.5M deficit
Kirpans now allowed in B.C. courts
Cuts to staffing, programming planned to balance budget
B.C. Justice Ministry changes policy on ceremonial daggers
by Adrian MacNair THE DELTA School District is proposing to make $1.9 million worth
of spending cuts and borrow $1 million from reserves into order to partially shore up a projected $3.46-million deficit for the next school year. Those cuts include 16.09 FTEs (full-time equivalent positions), although five of those FTEs are contingencies and will not result in lost jobs. The other 11.09 FTEs won’t necessarily mean layoffs either, said school district secretary treasurer, Joe Strain. The budget deficit can be chalked up a significant projected enrolment decline, a 47-per-cent reduction of the province’s bus funding over three years, an increase of teacher and employee benefit costs, and the carry-forward of a $1.7-million shortfall from last year. This is despite the fact the ministry of education increased the per-student funding formula to $6,900 this year from $6,784 the previous year. The school district says it just isn’t enough to cover rising costs. “Some of our work has been hard to do knowing it will be impacting on our vision,” said Delta School District Supt. Dianne Turner, who added they are committed to maintaining initiatives like aboriginal education, technology, elementary music, and teacher mentorship. The district will look for efficiencies in its staffing, which means reducing one FTE Dianne Turner English Language Learning teacher (formerly called ESL) and 3.69 FTE educational assistants for students with special needs, that will save over $250,000. But Turner said that may entail shuffling teachers to schools where the need is greatest and tweaking classroom sizes on a minute scale.
“Some of our work has been hard to do knowing it will be impacting on our vision.”
See BUDGET / Page 5
by Sheila Reynolds INITIATED SIKHS wishing to wear a
All smiles for volunteers
EVAN SEAL / THE LEADER
Jiwan Dhanoa, a graduate of The Centre for Child Development, came to speak to volunteers from the Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society Community Thrift Store last week during an appreciation luncheon for the volunteers at Surrey Fire Hall #10. The store, at 7138 King George Blvd., partners with the Surrey Hospice Society to fund various nonprofit groups across city. The Centre for Child Development, which helps youth with developmental disabilities, is a major recipient of the thrift store’s support.
Editorial 6 Letters 7 Sports 21 Datebook 26 Classifieds 27
kirpan into B.C. courthouses may now do so. The B.C. Ministry of Justice changed policy last week to allow visitors to carry the ceremonial daggers into public courthouse areas. Those wishing to do so will be required to identify themselves to sheriffs and comply with size restrictions. The length of kirpan, including the sheath, may not exceed 19 centimeters, while the blade can’t be longer than 10 cms. They must also A Sikh kirpan. be worn under clothing and not be easily accessible. Until now, anyone with a kirpan was asked by sheriffs to put their daggers or swords in their vehicles or stay outside the courthouse. Sheriffs will still assess risk factors, by asking what type of proceeding is being attended and the person’s connection to the case. Sheriffs will have the discretion to refuse kirpans into the courthouse on a case-bycase basis.
See KIRPAN / Page 5
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