S A L T U S M A G A Z I N E
4 1
by julie boyd
Director of Finance and Administration
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
While both the local and international economies continued
to struggle, Saltus Grammar School's outlook appears more
positive than it has in recent years. The target budgeted
student population of 955 students was exceeded at the start
of the year with 962 students enrolled in September 2011.
As the year progressed, the reduction in student numbers
was not as significant as prior years, ending the year with
946 students.
Saltus continued to monitor all areas of operations and in
February 2012 focussed on a school-wide strategic-planning
initiative as well as undertaking audits in both the areas of
technology and energy consumption.
The strategic planning initiative solidified the School's
view that paying down its debt while being mindful of all
expenses is its number-one goal financially. over the next
five years, the School will aim to increase annual giving and
use those funds to increase cash reserves, reduce the debt
and complete facility upgrades.
In 2010, Saltus began a four-year initiative of upgrading
its facilities. The third year in this initiative, 2012, saw the
following targets accomplished:
l
Completion of lock installation on all classroom doors,
allowing for lock-down procedures in the event of an
emergency;
l
Renovations to the lower car park, transforming this area
into a staff parking lot in an attempt to relieve congestion
during drop-off/pick-up times and provide school-hour
parking for parents and volunteers;
l
Installation of a school-wide fire-alarm system at the
St. John's Road campus, including voice technology allowing
for whole-school announcements in the event of an
emergency and two security cameras covering 80 percent
of the parking lots and the main gate;
l
Soundproofing the music room in the Gosling Centre, as
well as purchasing a soundproof practice room and
electronic equipment in the Bill Duncan Audio Visual
Music Suite;
l
Removal of carpet and underlay in two Lower Primary
classrooms, replacing with vinyl flooring;
l
Waterproofing repairs to the outside walls at Lower
Primary.
As per prior years, certain budgeted projects for the next
fiscal year were started early, including:
l
Complete renewal of the Stempel Library in Upper
Primary;
l
Renovation to the parent and staff washrooms at Lower
Primary;
l
Security fencing at Lower Primary;
l
Airconditioning in the Secondary Hall;
l
Renovations to the Secondary staff rooms and
washrooms;
l
BELCo three-phase electrical upgrade at the St. John's
Road campus;
l
Reinforcement of the Gosling Centre terrace railings;
l
Renovations to the Secondary science labs/classrooms;
l
Safety provisioning for the rockface behind the Haygarth
Gymnasium;
l
Renovations to the Design Technology Centre.
Annual Report
2011
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Upper Primary's Service Club donated books to charity