INSIDE: Healthwise shows you how to make time for fitness Pg. 15 September 28, 2010
T U E S D A Y
split season opener 10 Bruins 1985-
201
0
LOCAL NEWS, SPORTS, WEATHER & ENTERTAINMENT chilliwacktimes.com
School surplus number soars
BY CORNELIA NAYLOR cnaylor@chilliwacktimes.com
T
he Chilliwack school district is about $3.5 million better off this fall than originally projected. When budget consultations for the 2010-2011 school year started in January, the district predicted it would start this year with a scant accumulated surplus of $423,046. The district’s final 2009-2010 budget audited last month, however, shows that a combination of increased revenues and cost cutting has bolstered that amount to
Cost-cutting, increased revenues put school budget in the black to the tune of $3.9 million
$3.9 million. “We are in a much better place to go forward into this year’s budget,” said secretary treasurer Ray Velestuk. The district took in almost $200,000 more in revenue than expected last year, but that was negligible compared to the money it saved on expenses. Almost $2 million was saved on services and supplies alone, with a
spending freeze put in place from January till the end of April. ($1.3 million of that was saved on consumable supplies like paper, art supplies and non-capitalized computer components like printers.) Velestuk said the district put the brakes on spending last year early when it became clear projected spending levels versus revenue would lead to a nearly $6 million shortfall in 2010-2011.
The district slowed down hiring and froze funds that schools had saved and carried over from the 2008-2009 school year. It also required all purchases be cleared through the board office. “We were very cautious about resources because two things were happening: one, we knew that we had a budget that didn’t look really good in that year, and the second thing was that the economy was
signaling that grants were going to be less.” While those measures improved the district’s financial position by the beginning of summer, Velestuk said the final $3.9 million surplus figure still came as a “pleasant surprise.” “I think we’re in a comfortable place with that surplus,” he said. Because of the improved financial picture, Velestuk said the district is already hiring more staff to address class size and composition See SURPLUS, Page 5
A gala affair did impress Cultural centre officially opens BY PAUL J. HENDERSON phenderson@chilliwacktimes.com
A
Paul J. Henderson/TIMES
Mayor Sharon Gaetz cut the ribbon to officially open the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on Saturday night. Joining her on stage pictured here were, from left to right, former mayor Clint Hames, Coun. Diane Janzen, former councillors Sherry Baker and Diane Kostrzewa, president of the Chilliwack Arts & Cultural Centre Society Dave Stephen, Chief Joe Hall, Coun. Pat Clark, Coun. Stewart McLean and Coun. Sue Attrill. See more photos on Page 21.
few hundred patrons of the arts put on their fanciest duds for the gala grand opening of the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on Saturday night. Dubbed a “once-in-a-lifetime premiere,” the evening featured Sto:lo dancers, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, a champagne reception and a two-act show starring four Broadway performers. Just under 400 of the $150 tickets to the gala were sold, according to the cultural centre’s marketing manager, KellyAnne TeBrinke. Attendees arrived on a red carpet and were treated to a Sto:lo dance performance by the Semoya Dance See GALA, Page 4
WWW.OCONNORGROUP.COM
FREE 143 PT pre-owned inspection and one year membership!
only at
604-792-2754 DL#5952
02124924
8645 Young Street, Chilliwack 604-792-5151 www.jadamandsons.com
06198229
Plumbing Service Department Price 60¢