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Trustees rearrange their own budgets

Nanaimo school trustees have made some minor changes to their own bottom lines.

Nanaimo school trustees have made some minor changes to their own bottom lines.

After reviewing the trustee budget compared to actual expenditures for the past three years, the board  decided to allot each trustee $3,100 for travel and professional development rather than having one lump sum that all board members drew on.

Jamie Brennan, school board chairman, said having each trustee allotted a certain amount gives trustees a better idea of how much they are permitted to spend on professional development activities.

"It's a better way of keeping track," he said. "We'll get statements now so that we know what money we've spent."

A separate fund is to be used for trustees with additional responsibilities, such as attending B.C. Public School Employers' Association's provincial council meetings.

The changes increase the travel budget by $2,300.

But the cost of travel has gone up, said Brennan.

This year's total budget is about $273,000 and includes salaries and benefits, Internet costs, BlackBerry costs, professional services, travel and conference, the annual retirement dinner, supplies and fees.