Winnipeg School Division considers cuts to milk and instruments

If the Winnipeg School Division draft budget passes as is, it could mean parents paying for milk and musical instruments for their children.

Finance chair Chris Broughtonsaid the divisionis looking at numerous ways to save money including eliminating the full subsidy for milk for children whose families can afford it.

"Instead of 10 cents for milk some of our more affluent communities may be charged 50 cents per milk and then if there is a need within that community because not everyone living in an affluent neighbourhood has the same means, then that's something that our staff can work with," Broughton said adding subsidies could be provided for families in need.

Also on the chopping block arethe free musical instruments for band programs.

"The Winnipeg School Division has providedinstruments over the years, and it's to the point where, because of budget constraints many of those instruments are falling into disrepair and so again, where people can afford (to provide their own instruments they can) so that we can consolidate our instruments so that we have repairable, working instruments for those students who need them the most," Broughton said.

The idea is for teachers and administrators, who know the students and their families best, to identify who may need subsidies and work with those families.

The changes to the two programs areexpected to save $600,000 per year if passed.

Broughton admits, particularly with the musical instrument program, that it could have an impact on band programs in general.

"Definitely. Itdefinitely is a concern,"Broughtonsaid,"We're getting very close to the bone,"

"We're trying to find significant money because of a provincial funding shortfall and so we're looking at programs, these aren't programs that our administration are interested in making cuts, but they're areas that they've identified where we can find savings if necessary," Broughton said.

The Winnipeg School Division budget must be passed by March 15.