WINNIPEG –
The Manitoba government is increasing operating support for public school divisions by an average of 3.4 per cent and leaving the door open to having divisions raise local taxes.
Overall funding to public and independent schools is to jump by $104 million for the school year that starts in September. Aside from operating funding, money will also go to fund 30 more teachers across the province in order to keep class sizes down, Education Minister Nello Altomare said Thursday.
Another $27 million will pay for an expanded school nutrition program announced earlier this week.
The operating funding will vary between school divisions, based on factors such as enrolment. Some are to get an increase of less than one per cent.
The provincial teachers union welcomed the new money and said it was steadier than annual funding announcements under the former Progressive Conservative government, which varied widely year to year.
“We’ve …