The school board gave final reading Tuesday night (June 23) to a $10-million budget for the 2009-2010 financial year.The district will be spending slightly less this year than it did last year, due to the fact that the number of students continues to decline. The smaller budget means that some employees will be laid off: the number of full-time teaching positions has been reduced by 2.3, and the number of support staff by 2.5.The board approved two last-minute changes to the budget, adding $3,500 to district's cultural committee and $9,000 to the bus contractor to continue the route between Port Clements and Masset.Trustees commended secretary-treasurer Ken Campbell and First Bus for finding a way to keep the Port-Masset bus running, even though it is expected to carry only six students next year."You the man," said Central Graham Island trustee Elizabeth Condrotte. "I am particularly grateful because Port Clements parents were happy with the solution."South Graham Island trustee Christine Martynuik asked what will happen to the route next year when the bus contract is tendered.Mr. Campbell replied that First Bus will be keeping careful track of how many students ride each of the district's four bus routes in the coming year. The information should help the board with decisions about future bus routes.