ADSBTrustees with the Algoma District School Board received an update on their budget on Tuesday night.  Superintendent of Business Joe Santa Maria commented there is ‘a lot to digest’, reflecting the provincial government’s desire to deal with the deficit.  It was mentioned that all boards may experience a 1 to 2 percent decline in revenue from the province. Santa Maria.  He mentioned that three issues were being looked at:  Special Education, declining enrolment adjustment and supported school grants.  The latter is of particular interest to the ADSB when it comes to how they will affect rural schools.  He would not immediately say what impact the lower revenue would have, but did add that he hoped for a balanced budget at the end of June. 

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A presentation was made at Tuesday’s public board meeting on the FNMI Collaborative Inquiry.  The 25 minute video highlights the success of the program involving teachers, students and principals from several ADSB schools and eight First Nation Communities.  This year, the inquiry attempted to answer the question of what the impact of strengthening FNMI partnerships would have on student well-being and achievement.  Successes were highlighted during a 25 minute video presentation to public board trustees.  This included teachers going out into the community to network with First Nation parents and communities.  Another major accomplishment is the planning of events involving First Nation and Metis students at several schools.  A greater use of outdoor spaces at those schools and an increase in the number of hunting and fishing trips, to make better use of natural resources were among the suggestions students have made to improve the overall learning experience.  Among the resources mentioned were traditional teachings and sharing circles introduced at schools and ‘traditional student mentors’, who develop historical resources for use in schools.  The schools represented in the inquiry stretched in an area from Sault Ste. Marie northeast to Chapleau and east to Blind River.  First Nation communities involved in the inquiry including the North Shore Tribal Council and the Batchawana and Thessalon First Nations, among others.