Congratulations to all students on their fine achievements this year. Have a wonderful, safe summer. See you in September.

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board’s Budget Committee has completed its meetings and is recommending the Board approve a balanced budget of $349,703,820 for 2008/09. The proposed budget would expand Specialist High Skills Major programs and electronic learning (E-Learning) opportunities for secondary students, and provide intensive support for secondary schools. There is also funding to support safe, caring and restorative elementary and secondary schools. For details, please see the agenda for the May 27 Budget Committee meeting, posted in the Boardroom at www.kprschools.ca. The Board will approve the budget for the next school year at its June 19 meeting. Meanwhile, the number of teachers who will be without placements because of an expected decrease of over 900 students continues to decline. All secondary teachers have been placed for September, and the status of elementary teachers continues to improve. As retirements and resignations continue to trickle in, the Board expects to reduce by about two-thirds the original number of elementary teachers who were expected to be without placements this September (84)

New Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Cell Phone Policy

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board has approved a new policy on the use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) - such as cell phones and MP3 players - in schools. The policy states PEDs may be used only during regularly scheduled breaks, such as lunch hour and only in areas designated by principals. Cell phones and other PEDs must be turned off and stored out of sight in classrooms during instructional time, unless being used as a support for learning. PEDs may never be used in washrooms or change rooms. The new policy applies to everyone in a school, and it was approved after extensive consultation with students, parents, school councils, teachers, principals, support staff and community members. Full implementation of the policy is expected in September, 2008.