Grande Prairie Public School District has approved it’s 2014-15 operational budget. District Secretary-Treasurer Jeff Olson says the budget is around 3 million dollars higher than this year, due in large part to a projected increase in enrollment.
“We have been growing about 4-5 percent on average every year. This year we are growing out again, and that works out to a little over 300 students. And with more students, of course comes the opportunity to hire new teachers.”
Olson adds they will hire 16 new classroom teachers for next year, as well as instructors for new specialty programs like French and Music. He adds they also need to bring on admin staff for the soon to be opened Charles Spencer high school.