Rainbow School Board grapples with $1.6 million budget shortfall

The Rainbow District School Board is struggling with a budget shortfall.

On Tuesday, the board approved a budget of $182.5 million for the upcoming school year.

In a statement sent out Tuesday evening, the board says changes to grants and declining enrolment have resulted in a shortfall of $1.6 million.

Board chair Doreen Dewar said they're estimating they'll receive about $4 million less in grants over the next three years — and calls that a significant loss for the board.

"These changes will continue to have a negative impact on our revenue," she said.

"To balance the budget for the coming school year, trustees had to make some difficult decisions."

There's less money in this year's budget for non-teaching staff, programs, and professional learning for staff.

Meanwhile, the board is projecting enrolment to drop this fall by 279 full-time equivalent students, for a total of 13,442. The board reports that 77 per cent of its budget, or $141 million, has been allocated to salaries and benefits.