School board trustees review year, get budget update

LETHBRIDGE – The Lethbridge School District No. 51 is reporting a $2.6 million operating surplus for the 2015/16 year.

Board trustees received the fall budget update and year-end report at their meeting Tuesday, Nov. 29. The total expenditure was $114.1 million to serve approximately 10,500 students from early education to Grade 12. That breaks down to $11,580 spent on each full-time-equivalent student. $93 million was spent on staffing, $2.6 million on transportation, and $25.5 million on capital projects.

The operating surplus will be spent in 2016/17 on initiatives such as literacy resources and supports.

Overall enrolment was up 673 students, or 6.85 per cent. The addition of Immanuel Christian Elementary and High Schools meant an increase of 487 students.