Public board sets budget for next school year

The Hamilton public school board has approved a $577.3million operating budget for the next school year, from September to August. The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board approved the budget — a 2.8 per cent increase over last year — on Monday. The budget “reflects the strategic direction ... in positive culture and well-being, student learning and achievement, effective communications, school renewal, and partnerships,” according to a news release. Priorities include additional full-day kindergarten classes, a renewed math strategy, additional educational assistants, additional viceprincipals and office staff in high priority schools, and providing mental health support workers. The board’s 2018-19 capital budget is estimated at $144.9 million. Enrolment projections show an increase of 470 more students next year.