The Simcoe County District School Board could put $1.5 million into arts programming as part of their 2008/2009 budget.

Board staff presented trustees with the option at the May 7 meeting as part of the School Basic Budget presentation.

The money would pay for additional teacher qualifications for the arts, for purchasing instruments and bringing more arts to the elementary schools.

Director of Education Gord Campbell said he thinks the project would get the board off to a good start.  

“I don’t think $1.5 million is going to bring equity across the entire county, but I think if we start we can do it over the years.”

The arts have been a hot topic for the board recently, after a review of all its schools raised some concerns. All schools reported problems in providing arts programming in at least one area, whether music, visual or dramatic.

Campbell said the money is about more than just buying equipment – it’s about training staff as well.

“What I do not support is having equipment delivered to the schools and teachers not able to use it, because that is no value to the students.”

Though trustees were in support of improving the arts program, many raised concerns over how to create equity among the schools.

Trustee Caroline Smith was concerned with how schools that have worked hard to create their own programs are going to feel.  

“What about those schools who already have music programs? Schools that have spent years collecting money, fundraising? So now we say, ‘for equity everyone is going to have a music program, and we’ll pay’.”

Superintendent Lindy Zaretzky said the funding is an opportunity for the board to address problems in all areas.

“It doesn’t all have to be about music,” she said. “If a school has a very strong music program they may want to use those funds to support other areas where they did identify some gaps and are truly in need of support.”

There were also concerns raised over where the $1.5 million would come from, since the amount is more than the Ministry of Education has provided for arts.

Board staff said the budget is not balanced yet, but they are working to have it completed later this month.

Superintendent Carol McAulay said things would likely be cut from the school operations budget to make up the difference.

Also included in the proposed school basic budget was $700,000 to be put aside for equipping new secondary schools.

“As you are aware we have one secondary school (Essa) we have proposed to the ministry… we anticipate with our growth patterns we will need another two secondary schools in the next 10 years,” said McAulay.

Staff are proposing that $700,000 be taken from each budget for the next 10 years, giving the board $7 million to equip those schools. There is also an additional $146,000 for a late busing program to address needs of schools with a double lunch.

This would provide bused students a chance to take part in extra-curricular activities after school hours.

The proposals were brought forward as part of the board’s budget planning process.

All amounts and programs will not be approved until the entire budget is approved sometime in June.