Cutting any more from the Bluewater District School Board’s administration expenses is not going to solve the financial issues facing the board.
Some residents have suggested the board make cuts at the office in Chesley before closing any more schools.
Director of Education Steve Blake says when compared to similar-sized boards across the province, Bluewater spends less on administration than the provincial average.
It was pointed out in the board’s financial statement that spending on administration is less than 2.5 per cent of the total budget.
The 2015 budget of just over 200-million-dollars, just over 5-million is attributed to adminsitration costs.
Blake says they have just under 100 administration staff.
Blake adds the Education Ministry has recognized Bluewater as a lean operation when it comes to administration costs.
The Ministry has indicated cost-savings must come from other areas, such as shutting down schools through accommodation reviews.
Blake says there are about 7,000 excess pupil spaces and board trustees have committed to cutting that in half by 2018.
The next ARC meeting for the Owen Sound group of schools is Thursday January 7th at 7 PM in the cafeteria at West Hill Secondary School.
The recommendation calls for the closure of Bayview and Dufferin schools in Owen Sound, Derby public school in Kilsyth and Meaford Community School.