It was nearly a full house at Portage Collegiate Institute as the school division revealed its budget for next year.

Division trustees decided to put on more of a show with several bands, choirs, pipers and a drumline performing to kick off the event, with the more in-depth budget presentation coming after the fact. Clearly, the idea worked.

"Last year, (trustees) thought, how can we brainstorm to make this more inviting and more engaging," says Division Superintendent Todd Cuddington. "This format of having students on stage, and seeing what's happening in the school, and getting an opportunity to tour the facilities, I think it's made the difference."

Cuddington says they put forward a responsible budget, that will allow them to accomplish two key goals.

"(The budget) recognizes what is being asked of us from taxpayers, but also from the provincial government which is to keep a line on increases. (Trustees) managed to do that," says Cuddington. "At the same time, we haven't had to sacrifice programming or instruction."

When it's all said and done, the budget will see a modest one per cent increase to the Mill rate. The impact on a home (based on a value of $100,000) would be an increase of $6.14. A commercial property (based on a value of $100,000) would see an increase of $8.86 while a farm (based on a value of $100,000) would see an increase of $3.55.

Based on information provided at the budget meeting, the proposed budget would be $40,854,136.

There was $971,923 in approved increased expenditures. These will be funded by:
- Special Requirement (taxpayer expense): $165,851
- Federal Funded Students: $961,000
- Variance Revenue (small oddities collected): $1,000

Provincial revenue went down from last year by $355,928. This means the total source of revenue is $771,923. Trustees found $200,000 in efficiencies, which makes up the total of $971,923.