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ADSS Show ‘n’ Shine fundraiser tomorrow Sports, Page 7
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Friday, June 12, 2015
ALBERNI SCHOOL BOARD
SD70 to cut $1M in budget District saves $200K from school moves
» Ultimate Fishing Town
MARTIN WISSMATH ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
money is in place to do the structural work,” Kenny said. In contrast, high tech will be installed at Harbour Quay to replace the aging entrance sign. Approved at Monday’s City Council meeting at a cost of $50,000, Kenny expects delivery in eight weeks. The sign will have improved visualization with lit up text and graphics that can be changed to reflect upcoming events and weekly specials by merchants. “The old sign is at the end of its course and is hard to maintain,” Kenny said. He hopes the new sign will be up by August in the same location.
The Alberni school district is planning to cut about $1 million in spending for the 2015–16 school year in order to balance the budget. School board trustees passed the 2016 annual budget on Tuesday. Salaries and benefits are up about $400,000 for the next school year, including a one per cent increase to CUPE employees effective July 1. With a million-dollar reduction in spending on services and supplies, total operating expenses are budgeted to decrease by $600,000. Kindergarten to Grade 5 students at Gill Elementary and Eighth Avenue Elementary will be moved to A.W. Neill and E.J. Dunn, respectively. The two former middle schools will realign to a kindergarten to Grade 7 model in September. Other elementary schools in the Alberni Valley will expand to offer Grade 6 in September, and Grade 7 in 2016–17. Eighth Avenue is not being closed, but rather repurposed, said SD70 secretary-treasurer Lindsay Cheetham. It will house the Choices Distributed Learning and adult education programs. The adult program will be moved from the former Mt. Klitsa Junior Secondary site on Tebo Avenue. The district also plans to move the Vast alternative education program to the Eighth Avenue building from its current location on Redford Street. After closing Gill Elementary and repurposing Eighth Avenue Elementary schools this month, the district expects to save about $200,000 over the following year, said Cheetham. “We didn’t realize that much from the schools,” Cheetham said. “It’s hard to tell at this point what we will be saving in terms of our utilities. But in terms of staffing and that, it hasn’t been that much.” The district will lose one full-timeequivalent position from custodial staff, with one-and-a-half FTE jobs cut in clerical staff, Cheetham said. Cheetham said funding protection from the B.C. Ministry of Education is up to $1.8 million for the upcoming school year – $800,000 more than the 2014–15 year. Funding protection is provided to school districts with steep declines in student enrolment to help meet expenses.
Kristi.Dobson@avtimes.net
See SCHOOLS, Page 12
Chainsaw carver Jesse Toso was at Harbour Quay Wednesday to start carving a bench, that, once completed will feature two salmon on either side. It is a contribution from Port Alberni’s win as the Ultimate Fishing Town and will be installed on the grounds of Harbour Quay. [KRISTI DOBSON, TIMES]
MUNICIPALITY
New $50K Harbour Quay sign planned, Chamber donates focal point to city KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
S
igns, both old and new, will be erected to reflect Port Alberni’s past and present. The focal point, donated earlier this year from the Chamber of Commerce, was moved from storage at the Somass mill to the City Works Yard for assessment. Before it is put up at the corner of Victoria Quay and Roger Street, staff will determine what repairs will be done. “We have to take the steel supports off first before we know what we’ll have to do,” said Scott Kenny, director of Parks, Recreation and Heritage. He said there will have to be some rot repair.
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“The old sign is at the end of its course and is hard to maintain.” Scott Kenny, Port Alberni Parks, Recreation and Heritage director
The work and related set-up was not in the budget, but Kenny said there may be some sponsorship. Once finished, with an expected fall unveiling. It will be featured in a park-like setting with picnic tables and the historic millstones from Port Alberni’s first paper mill. “We are hoping for September if the
Heart and Stroke fundraiser in PA
Alberni wins gold at B.C. track & field final
Eight teams joined the annual fundraiser for the charity. More than $19,000 was raised locally. » Alberni Region, 3
ADSS sent 17 athletes – the most ever – to the B.C. High School Provincial Championships in Langley June 6. » Sports, 7
Inside today Alberni Region 3 Opinion 4
Community 5 On the Island 6
Sports 7 Scoreboard 9
Comics 10 Classifieds 11
Nation & World 12 What’s On 13
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ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES VOLUME 66, NUMBER 112
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