School board trustees will be getting some tough lessons in subtraction as they try to figure out how to cut about $500,000 from next year's budget.
Secretary-treasurer Len Ibbs said trustees will probably start talking about how to do it at their next meeting, to be held Jan. 28 at Tahayghen school in Masset.
At some point, probably in the spring, the board will consult with the public about the budget, he said, as it does every year.
The provincial government is going to announce March 15 how much money the district can expect next year, but Mr. Ibbs said unless there's an unexpected development, the figure should be around $8.8-million.
That's about $300,000 less than the current year's budget, which is $9.1-million. However, some budget items, such as salaries, are set to increase in cost. These fixed cost increases will come to around $200,000, meaning that the board will have to reduce spending by $500,000, Mr. Ibbs said.
Although the board doesn't have to pass the budget for the 2003-2004 year until June 30, Mr. Ibbs said the board will probably have it in place by the end of April. That's because it has to give adequate notice to staff members who might be affected by cuts.