The Hanover School Division has come through one of their most financially challenging years ever virtually unscathed.

After auditors reviewed HSD's financial situation last week, they were impressed with their frugal management of funds. Of the $90.5 million in revenue the division received during the 2018-2019 school year, Finance Chair Ron Falk says $89.5 million was spent on general operations. In addition to this amount, the division annually budgets approximately $1 million to be used for capital purchases. For the 2018-19 school year, this included the Blumenort parking lot expansion, installing fiber optics at the Niverville High School, purchasing of furniture, computer equipment, and five new buses.

“By the time it was all said and done we ended up with a small deficit of $5,358 and on a $90 million budget, I’d say that’s pretty close.”

If need be, Falk says this minor outstanding deficit can be covered by the $3.4 million accumulated surplus the division has in its reserves. The year did not come without its hardships, however, and Falk cites the eliminating of the 12 month HSD calendars and the reducing of staff appreciation funding as two examples. 

Read more: 
Hanover School Board Axes Staff Appreciation Funding
HSD Discontinues Their Popular Calendar
HSD Unable To Sustain Addictions Resources

Still, he says those difficult decisions did pay off. “The departments all did a really good job,” he remarks, “everybody was under budget.”

Despite turning their incredibly challenging year into a success story, Falk and his fellow trustees are hoping for more wiggle room this time around.